What does it look like to follow Jesus?

So my mind has been digesting the scripture from last Sunday for a few days... in the lectionary it was Good Shepard Sunday.  Beautiful imagery of Jesus chilling out in a nice grove of woods with a bunch of sheep.  New testament lesson John 10:1-10.  I am the shepard, I am the gate.

I struggle a lot with this verse.  It rubs me the wrong way.  Did Jesus really say that?  "The only way to the father is through me."  Are my devout, loving, Jewish/Hindu/Muslim friends deceived?

That's the hard question here.

If you read the scripture literally - yes.

But I love this line from Barbara Streisand's movie "Yentel". - "Why would God have given me a mind, if not to ask the question WHY?"  (and am incredibly excited for the opportunity to go to seminary to explore the question why - even if I only encounter more questions...) 

So a friend gently reminded me to look further into the verse.  Written by John... sounds a little more like Mark, and written approximately 70 years after Jesus was crucified.  So I'm pretty sure that John wasn't there taking notes.  Past down information from others through generations (image of a game of telephone here) can still keep the general theme of message, or turn it into something completely different.  I do firmly believe that everyone involved with the passing down of church tradition, stories, and the writing of holy scripture did their absolute best - yet they are still human and imperfect.
 Now I have read 2 Timothy 3:16 - "All scripture is God breathed."  But my mind implores me to go further and not just take that as it is.  (I recognize that I often get criticized for over-thinking.... but this is how my mind works and I take it as a blessing)  Paul wrote this in a letter to Timothy - encouraging him and reminding him about the holy texts that he had been practically raised reading.  I don't believe Paul had any intention of his letters (to Timothy or other believers) becoming HOLY SCRIPTURE.  Yet we base a lot of our daily christian lives on what Paul says... dare I say instead of what the gospels say Jesus said?

Yet this argument is circular (sorry) did Jesus really say that?  What do I do with scripture that seems to be out of character for the God that I am trying to get to know?  I am not trying to make God into what I want God to be.  That's not fair... but way to easy.  It's like becoming infatuated with a person that you only meet a few times and have little contact with, when you don't have that regular contact to get to know them, it's so much easier for them to be perfect in your eyes.  You make them into whatever you want.

I wish I knew Jesus.  What he liked to eat... How his face looked when we was annoyed, tired, incandescently happy... From the scriptures I get the general idea of the things he taught, but I can't wait for the day I can sit and talk to him myself.  Why, oh great God of the Universe, would you (or would you?) deny those who love you, worship you, and serve you - just because they don't believe you came down to earth to die for their sins?  Do you really know what I will choose - therefore not really having a choice anyway?  DO you adapt to my choices, making you not eternal (outside of time/always the same)?  How can you be both just and merciful?  Is hell real?  How do you bear the pain of any part of your creation hating and rejecting you?  At the end of our earthy lives will we have any other chance to accept your love?  How long will you love us?  Even if we never return it?

I love the scripture, and I think it's good to question it and learn more about it.  I don't need to know all the answers - but I NEED to ask the questions.  As instructed by Micah I will attempt to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with my God.  As as instructed by Jesus I will attempt to love God and love my neighbor as myself.  Yearning to have the fruit of the spirit - (yes I even learn from Paul) Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self-control.  This is the best I know how to follow Jesus.  I do believe Jesus came and lived and loved, so much so that he sacrificed himself for me. 

But as God - in infinite wisdom and power and mercy - can you accept another way?

Peace,
your sister in Christ~Erin

So this is what I've gathered from 2 Kings...

Jehoram ruled for 8 years - did evil in the eyes of the Lord, son Ahaziah
Ahaziah ruled for 1 year and was killed by Jehu, son Joash (was hidden when Jehu killed Ahaziah's family)
Joash started ruling when he was 7, ruled for 40 years, son Amaziah
Amaziah ruled for 25 years, son Azariah
Azariah (or Uzziah- called both) ruled for 54 years, Jotham 
Jotham - good king, ruled

**here is where I get confused, in Matthew it goes straight from Jehoram to Uzziah - but there are 3 generations in between!

Ahaz - ruled for 16 years, did evil in the eyes of the Lord, believed in human sacrifice - even sacrificed his son! son Hezekiah
Hezekiah - really great king!  Successful at everything he did (lots of battles), son Manasseh
Manasseh - ruled for 55 years, did evil in the eyes of the Lord, son Amon
Amon  - ruled for 2 years, did evil in the eyes of the Lord, was assassinated by his officials, son Josiah
Josiah - was 8 when he became King, ruled for 31 years, good king, renewed covenant with the Lord!

There is lots of history here, years of stories, not just battles and changing of political lines, but they aren't written in the bible.  At the summary of each king it states - aren't all the deeds, good and bad, done by this king written in the history books?

What stories of honor and inspiration have we lost?  They were important enough for Matthew to list, our history is important.  That's why we have tradition, to remember the past.  The good and the bad, to learn and to be inspired along our path.

Role models, saints, hero's... we all have them.  Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Dietrich Bonhoeffer... all people I admire and have learned from.  Who are some important people for you?

In peace,
your sister in Christ~Erin

Extra, extra, read all about it! Politics and Punishment!

More history...


Rhoboam - was suppose to become King after his father Solomon, however when the working class came to him and asked for less work he refused and said he would make them work harder!  (bad politics) and they overthrew him.  it is said then that all of Isreal will reject the house of David... (forshadowing!)  
But because Jeroboam (the leader) who became King strayed from God and built temples for other God's and the like, God killed his son and made Rhoboam king again.  
***This is when Israel splits in 2, the northern half Israel and the southern half Judah.  Jeroboam continues to be the King, but of Israel while Rhoboam is the King of Judah, and he reigned for 17 years. (but was always at war with Jeroboam) 
Abijad - Ruled Judah after his father, did the same sins as his father, only reigned for 3 years, lots of war with Jerobaom.  : ( 
Asa - took over after his fathers short rule.  Ruled a long time!  Worshiped God and didn't put up with pagan worshipers (even outted his grandmother!)  Hurrah a good king!  During his reign there was war with Israel.  
Jehoshaphat -  good King, followed God, was a peace with Israel! reigned for a good 20 some years 
Jehoram - he married a girl from the royal house of Israel (who weren't following God laws well) only reigned for 8 years and didn't follow God (did evil in the eyes of the Lord) 
Azziah (Uzziah? Ahaziah?)same? - (says the book of Kings... ) ruled after his father, but again did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  Got along with Ahab King of Israel (they were family), but God spoke to a man named Jehu and he killed both the kings and their entire families!  
After some rocky years with Jehu leading, Ahaziah sister got away and hid her son Joash- who began his reign at age 7.  Both Israel and Judah (I think... 2 Kings 12) - But in the 27 year of his reign Jehu's son became King of Isreal.  


So lots of bad kings, corrupt officials I guess, doing what they please instead of God.  Which in turn lead to the splitting of the country into Israel and Judah and everyone kinda getting looser on their morals.  God spoke through Elijah and Elisha at this time, but the kings didn't really care.  


Thoughts and questions to take away:  fascinating stories by humans that are relevant today, how were they relevant to Jesus?  Why are their names remembered and listed in the first chapter of the gospel?  What can we learn from them?  


More soon!  


God Bless, 
stay warm!!  
~your sister in Christ, Erin

More crazy ancestors!

Back to the first chapter of Matthew to learn more about the crazy of stories of Jesus's ancestors.

Perez and Zerah - twins sons of Judah (4th son of Jacob) and Tamar (his daughter in law), when they were born Zerah put his hand out first but then pulled it back in and his brother came out.  Zerah is therefore the oldest... moved to Egypt with their father Judah, uncles, etc. (over 70 - people in all) to be with Joseph and lived there until they died.  Both had clans named after them (the Hezronite clan and the Perezite clan) caounted in the census as part of the clans of Judah 76,500 men the largest clan at the Plain of Moab before the Israelites entered the promised land.
Hezron - son of Perez, must have lived in Egypt, a part of the growing Israelite population soon to terrify the Egyptians.  Out of fear the Egyptians organized the Israelites into work groups to control them, a pharaoh even ordered midwives to kill boy babies during childbirth or drown them : (
Ram - ?
Amminadab - only reference I could find was as father as Nahshon
Nahshon - chosen to help Moses and Aaron register every man in the tribe of Judah for the census help in the wilderness of Sinai, a military leader as well (Numbers Chapter 1.7)  The tribe of Judah was the largest tribe at 74,600 men of the 603,550 total warriors.
Salmon and Rahab - Rahab, another woman! and referred to as a harlot..., lived in Jericho before the Israelites arrived, and when they approached the country was in an uproar.  Two scouts came to her house and she hid them with the promise that when the Israelites took over her family would not be harmed.  (Joshua 2)  After Joshua and his army took the city, Rahab and her family were the only ones spared, well them and the gold, silver, and bronze.  *personal issue - Joshua's genocide?  hmmm...  : (  The couple would have been part of the clans of Judah that settled in the area described in Joshua 15 from the great sea to the salt sea south of the tongue... etc.  must include in part or whole, Jerusalem
Boaz and Ruth - The beautiful story of Boaz and Ruth is told in the book of Ruth. During the time of the judges a family had left Israel, and the 2 sons took wives from the area they moved too.  Then the husband died.  Then the sons died.  The 3 women were left wondering what to do.  One daughter in law returned to her family, the other, Ruth refused to leave her mother in law and the two went back to Israel.  Ruth was not an Israelite by birth, but accepted it "your God is my god" she said.  In Israel she walked through the fields picking up what had been left behind for the poor and the prominent owner noticed her - Boaz.  (good guy too, he fights for her and everything)
Obed - only mentions him as a baby and as part of the lineage
Jesse - had 7 sons, lived near Bethlehem.  After King Saul lost God's favor, his family was invited to a feast with the priest Samuel (yes the little boy in the temple who heard God calling him).  God told Samuel he would point out the new king.  Jesse left his youngest son David at home with the sheep, but that's the one God wanted.
King David and Uriah's wife - David the same harp playing little boy who defeated the giant Goliath.  Became the next King of Israel.  His best friend was the last king (Saul's) son... put a damper in their friendship when Saul tried to kill him... But an interesting note that Solomon was David's son with Uriah's wife.  Well, David saw Uriah's wife (Bathsheba) bathing on the roof of her home and just had to have her, so he did.  When she became pregnant, David had her husband brought back from war but he wouldn't sleep with her because his men didn't get the privilege either.  Then David had him sent to the front lines where he died, then he took on Bathsheba as another wife.  All to cover up his sin... despite it though he was a great King and musician, he wrote many of the Psalms.  and he had at least 6 other sons (2 Samuel 3:2)... and 11 more including Solomon were born in Jersualem ( 2 Samuel 5:13)
Solomon - became the next King after David, but was not the eldest... actually his older brother held a coronation and everything, but it didn't turn out.  (1 Kings 1) he married the pharaohs daughter and was considered a very wise man.  He ruled Israel and Judah in peace and built The Temple of God in Jerusalem.
*musical reference:  Fiddler on the Roof, If I was a rich man "like Solomon the wise man"

15 (13 if you don't count the women paired with their men) more ancestors explored, 13 more before the Babylonian exile
13 to Mary and Joseph

So much wisdom in these stories that has inspired many for centuries.  Leadership, honor, friendship, commitment, true dedication to God, as well as the mistakes.  Sin.  Failure to put God first.  Greed.  Lust.  Disobedience.  Many lessons to learn we still teach our children today.

It's hard to love God and always put him first, we are often tempted.  Stories like those found connected with these people help us remember and keep God first.  Stories much more than commands perhaps?

In peace and love,
your sister in Christ~Erin

Wisdom

 “It’s gotta be more like falling in love, than something to believe in

More like, losing my heart, than pledging my allegiance”

“Cause all religion ever made of me was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet”

These words are from a popular Christian song by Jason Grey that I have struggled with a bit.  Simply because a song is sung by a Christian artist doesn’t make it true or theologically sound… personally religion has given me some of my greatest role models and hero’s as well as an enormous amount of encouragement and traditions to help me understand my walk. 

God, the creator of the universe, made the human race, to quote Desmond Tutu “The Rainbow People of God”.  Not simply are we different by our physical looks, but through and through.  I have written before on personalities and ways to label them which gives people the tools to understand what makes them who they are. 

For example, my spirituality type is a “prophet” described as someone who has a passion for people and loves to teach.  Other spiritual types are “sage”, “lover”, and “mystic” each with their own interests, passions, and gifts.  Other ways to describe our personalities can be learned from the “True Colors” test, “Learning Styles”, and found in the bible even- “Spiritual Gifts”.  We are truly a rainbow people of God with an array of gifts, talents, interests, passions, and views. 

These differences mean when listening to a story, we can all hear the same words and take away different lessons and meanings.  Our knowledge also plays a huge role as well.  Paul says to the Corinthians “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.”  (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). 

In the words of Jesus there are many messages.  There are some for those who are still young in their faith, basic Christian values and ideas.  There are other lessons though for those who have more knowledge (not necessarily more faith) and are more mature in their faith. 

I hope to explore more about who Christ was and is through taking a closer look at his wisdom through his teachings in stories, parables, and sermons. 

Jesus’s heritage:  Matthew Chapter 1

The wisdom of our ancestors.  There are stories here, so many stories.  Typically when given a lineage the male members of the family are mentioned, not the female.  Yet here, Matthew mentions several women, some by name, other’s by association.  These stories are important and Jesus will grow up learning about many of them. 

Abraham – a common man born Abram, but with his faith in God became Abraham the father of Israel. 

Issac – the son we remember from Abraham, however his half brother creates an interesting story.

Jacob – the father of 12 sons, and 1 daughter.  Soon to become the 12 tribes of Israel.  And father of Joseph, soon to become a  Broadway Musical inspiration! 

Judah – the oldest of Jacob’s sons, he had3 sons with his wife Shua, Tamar is his oldest son Er’s wife.  When Er died tradition dictates that the next sons marries that wife and gives her children, but he didn’t (on purpose) and so Tamar waited until the youngest son grew up, but was burned there as well.  So she tricked Judah and had twins from him, she and her two sons are mentioned here.  Quite the story!  (Genesis 38)    

The list and stories associated goes on.  When first read it can be a boring list of names that don’t mean much.  There is a little name dropping – Abraham and King David are some pretty important guys.  That would be like saying my great great great great grandfather was the King of England.  Through association it makes you cool. 

But as we mature and LEARN, we see that these names and their stories have meaning.  We often think that Jesus was just an infant born to a poor couple of little consequence – but with this lineage – it is not so, and his family would want him to know that. 

We are all children of God.  We can all look back to Abraham and his descendents and the Jewish people of Matthew’s audience definitely did.  Many of us today have knowledge of our families roots, yet many do not.  But there is much to learn about the wisdom Jesus was born into through this list of ancestors. 

Always,

Your sister in Christ~Erin

Habits

Habits... sometimes I wonder if it's the Achilles heel of many of us.  I unfortunately am not one of those personality types that is all that good at habits.  This fall with more flex time I had hoped to get some more habits into my schedule, yet... November and still not there as I would like them to be.

Helping a friend with youth group this week the theme was creating habits.  Many of the youth had asked questions about how to read their bible or where to start and other things that really have no specific answer so his response was pick something and create a habit with it.  It doesn't matter so much what you do, but that you do it and regularly.

For a while about a year ago I blogged almost once daily.  It was a great habit.  I felt closer to God and I was learning alot.  Lately I have been struggling to blog once a week - mostly because of internet access, but excuses excuses.  The busier I am I find the better I have habits - they tend to to along with the schedule.

An acronym he found to help the kids went like this:
H - hang time with God
A - accountability with another
B- Bible reading
I - involvement in church
T- tithing
S- Study scripture

All good places to start.  But like anything I think it is better to start with a little bit, a combo that fits you and try to commit to it.  I love devotional books that combine looking up the passage in your own bible and then comment on it.  Works well for me.  Praying with meals is another habit that is great to have.  So many good things it's easy to get overwhelmed and like a popular song out right now religion can become "a stone tied to my feet".

Obedience is important to God.  Too often we make God what WE want God to be... it's easier.  How do we get to know God?  Read the bible.  Daily.  It's hard.  But we sit and watch TV or movies for at least an hour a day, can't we give God a few minutes?

One thing I learned while reading Eat, Pray, Love is that you don't always love a habit when you try to start it, but after a while it can really become wonderful.  The author didn't like the mandatory early morning group meditation and got nothing from it.  But towards the end of her stay in the Indian monastery after taking to another she slowly grew to love the meditation and it became an important habit in her life.

I'm not saying we should all meditate (though I think we could all benifit) but some habits we don't pick up because we like them right away, but because they are good for us.  Later with an open mind we may discover something we never saw in them.

What are your habits?  What helps you keep them?

For me - an accountability partner is vital.

Wishing you the best in your struggles and your blessings.

Your sister in Christ~Erin

There is a time... WHEN?

I pride myself in being a very patient person.  Especially when working with others... co-workers, supervisors... children...  I can wait.  Yet I am not patient with myself or God.

Well... I think I could be patient if I knew what was coming.  It's not that hard to be patient and wait for a child who doesn't want to eat their dinner, but I know that I'm going to win this battle.  The broccoli will be eaten and life will go on - even if it takes a half an hour or more.

I pray that God has the same patience with me!  I know that seminary is a part of my path.  I know it's up ahead - but WHEN?  When is the time for this learning process?  Do I, or should I, do it all at one time?  What if I go to school part time?  Is that alright?

I know two things.  1- I have to go to school and get my Master's in Divinity and work towards being ordained as a deacon.  2 - I need to start/continue on my career path in camping.

Now - I believe that one day I can combine these two things into a beautiful plan.  I want to do ministry, serve the world (children, families, young people, widows, orphans, etc.) through a camp.  But when Lord?  WHEN?

Today's devotional for me was from Matthew.  In two words:  Don't worry.  Sigh.  Don't worry about the future, don't worry about food, don't worry about where things will come from.  Have faith and continue to seek God.

Seek God.

Okay.  Big breath.  Seek God.  (pray for me?)
Hey- I know you all get impatient too.  I pray for you, whatever your life stage is right now to also seek God first.

In peace,
 your sister in Christ~Erin

Matthew 6:25-34  Do Not Worry

 ²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[b]? ²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Stories

Isn’t it fascinating how important stories are to us?  Be it a family story handed down over generations or a tale from a friend about their weekend stories are integral to who we are.  Jesus used stories to help us learn and reach more people – parables. 

I love to get caught up in stories.  And a good story can be told and retold – or watched and re-watched!  Tonight I find myself snuggling up under my favorite green wool blanket and memory quilt watching – Ever After.  It has been one of my favorite movies for years, one that guarantees to calm and comfort my soul. 

Calming is what I require tonight – but not for anything bad – I got caught up in another story and want to focus on something else.  I just finished the second book of the Inheritance series – Eldest.  (The book following Eragon).  Ah.  AH.  AHHHHH!!!

The story hasn’t ended and I’m just dying to know what happens next.  I must have read at least 300 pages today.  I just love the struggles, the psychology, and the philosophy entwined throughout the story.  To summarize 2 large (several hundred pages each) books: 

Eragon, a country boy whose life has always been full of hunting and harvesting, finds a unique rock one day on a hunting trip in the mountains.  Several days later the “egg” hatches into a dragon and Eragon is swept up in a momentous, unbelievable, and heroic tale.  Through hardships, vengeance, mentors,  new lessons, and the struggles of coming of age Eragon and his dragon become involved in many adventures which continue to unravel surprises about his past and the Empire.   The 3 races of humans, Elves, and Dwarfs depend on this dragon and her Rider, and good and evil is never as black and white as it may seem. 

The books, as any good fiction, deal with many things we face in life:  injustice and anger, vengeance, honor, limitations, failures, family, good and evil, philosophy, strength, love, friendship, loyalty, and betrayal to name a few.  All wrapped up in a delightful story that makes me laugh, cry, and shriek with surprise. 

Book 2 ends with an understanding of the title and a whole load of new information at once – I am going crazy! 

Through there are some really important themes in the book.  If you want to achieve greatness, then you must take the time to learn from someone with great wisdom, skill, and knowledge.  I want to do great things – but I’m not sure how yet.  I dream of founding a non-profit organization based on helping connect people who have with people who have not to create real relationships.  To do so I have answered God’s calling on my life and am off to seminary.  Yet I struggle with the idea of spending more time not realizing my dreams and calling.  But the importance of learning is bigger.  I can’t do much with limited knowledge.  I only hope that I may work on both school and this organization at the same time. 

However I do love the way the author presents situations in which right and wrong are challenged, and often changed.  To have an open mind in a very difficult task, yet still one of the greatest gifts and child can receive.  We deal with this is life.  How to face an employer honestly, communication or dealing with miscommunication with others, taking care of oneself, etc.  These are also things I teach at camp.  Subjects I love and yet struggle with all at the same time.  

The biggest connection I made with the book is the main characters time in "training".  Taking time out for learning is a large part of many cultures.  That is the next step in my life and I pray that God grants me with an open mind and wisdom as I study his word and how to serve the world through him.  

Proverbs 4

Wisdom Is Supreme

 ¹ Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;
       pay attention and gain understanding. ² I give you sound learning,
       so do not forsake my teaching.
 ³ When I was a boy in my father's house,
       still tender, and an only child of my mother,
 ⁴ he taught me and said,
       "Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
       keep my commands and you will live.
 ⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
       do not forget my words or swerve from them.
 ⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
       love her, and she will watch over you.
 ⁷ Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
       Though it cost all you have, ^[a] get understanding.
 ⁸ Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
       embrace her, and she will honor you.
 ⁹ She will set a garland of grace on your head
       and present you with a crown of splendor."
 ¹⁰ Listen, my son, accept what I say,
       and the years of your life will be many.


In peace, 
your sister in Christ~Erin

Lectio divina

Another art and tradition of meditation - the art of reading while listening for the still small voice of God.

I think of it (as best I have read/studied) in 4 steps:

1 - lectio is the first step where you read or listen to a selected section of scripture, either alone or in a group, and while reading focus on listening (not the typical speed reading).  Read until a certain word or phrase speaks to you personally.
2 - meditatio is the second step where you take some time to focus on that word or phrase.  Memorize it, repeat it just take some time to think about the meaning it has for you and take you deeper with it
3 - oratio is the third step and is prayer to God about the word or phrase that has spoken to you and meant to help take you deeper again
4 - contemplatio is the forth step where you rest in the presence of God and accept the message you have been reading/meditating/praying on

Just another option out their for meditation, I first experienced it in a small group.  I like that it is a bit more structured than meditating with a mantra, however I have come to love them both.  

In peace with love,
your sister in Christ~Erin

Chocolate

Lord, I am thankful for chocolate.

It's the little pleasures in life that make it extra sweet and wonderful.  Like chocolate, or a warm cookie.  Perhaps a cozy hug, or a sincere compliment.  The things that just make your day that much better.

Tonight at church we started a women's bible study focusing on God's grace, yet another theme for it is chocolate.  :)  It was the best part of my day to sit with 9 or 10 other women in our church parlor (just redone and very cozy and relaxing) talking about life and faith.  It is such a fabulous group too.  I am the youngest at 23 and the oldest is a great grandmother of 16!  Many in the middle with young children or older children... we range the board with ages and personalities!  It was just such a blessing.

Sometimes I forget how important the support of friends and family is in life.  I think I'm fine on my own - but I'm not.  The loved ones in my life are another source of chocolate.  From a catch up phone call or an email or an evening of hanging out - those relationships are crucial to our lives.  I'm so thankful for my wonderful friends and family!  (especially when I'm living states away!)

Surprise a friend or family member this week to show them how thankful you are for their love.

Dear Lord,
I am so grateful tonight for the wonderful people whom you have put in my life.  I thank you for their uplifting words and thoughts.  Without those relationships I struggle.  Open my eyes to help me see when they are in need as well as when their are new friends on the horizon to be made.  Amen.

God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin