Just what I needed

Don't you find that sometimes things just fall into place. Sometimes someone or something comes into your life and you realize that is exactly what you need or what you needed at that moment to feel encouraged and blessed. I stayed up way to late last night thinking about this and feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for friendship and support. I thought I'd share what I was thinking.

First, I'm blessed to have a husband that knows the importance of going to church. Not only for our family, to support my faith, to build the boys' faith, to fellowship, etc; but most importantly to improve and work on his own spiritual walk. I never put a whole lot of thought into it but I've begun to realize that there are spouses out there that aren't so lucky. I'm blessed to have a husband that wants to participate in church class, wants to fellowship with the church body, wants to serve within, and wants to learn/grow along with me. He rarely complains if church isn't as "fun" as it is other times. He doesn't complain about who is teaching class or what worship was like that day. He simply goes to church with an open mind and more importantly an open heart. I know too many wives (and even husbands) who have to go alone to worship or church class because their partner doesn't value it. I'm learning to be grateful for the kind of man that I married, and not forget what makes him a man of faith.....okay, I'm getting teary eyed so I'll move on. Note: I've been getting teary eyed all the time lately, not because I'm sad or upset, but because I'm overwhelmed by gratitude, peace, and joy. It literally brings me to tears.

I've also been reflecting on my friendships lately. A few months ago I used to hang out with some friends here and there that were very negative and critical of everyone. Over the holidays, I was determined to distance myself from all that and fill my friendships with more meaningful, spiritual bonds. I didn't want to alienate them, I just wanted to spend my time cultivating more connections with positive, faith-based friendships. In doing that, I naturally had to start saying "no" to what had turned out to be a weekly coffee gossip session I had been attending. Now, it wasn't easy saying no and relying more of the friendships in my life that built me up.

I was starting to think that I had made a mistake over the last few weeks and maybe God didn't have any other friendships in mind for me. Then after church one Wed, my husband and I got home kinda late because we had been talking with people after church. He made a comment that went something like this, "Wow, those girls you've started hanging out with really love you". And you know what, he was right. I started to spend more time with some friends that I already had for awhile but just didn't spend a lot of time with. Without even realizing it, God had been working and bringing some closer connections into my life. I'm so grateful to have these beautiful, positive friendships growing in my life. We are blessed to now be part of a group that is faith based and positive (even if they are a couple years older than us:) It is just what we needed to build our faith more. It is even getting to the point where we are planning vacations together with them. It is just amazing how when you surround yourself with encouraging, positive, faith-based people, it makes you want to become more positive and encouraging yourself. It wasn't easy over the last few months having to say no to some friends and building up other relationships, but I'm surprised and grateful everyday with how much God has blessed us with friendships and love. Okay....I'm getting teary eyed again...

That basically sums up the third thing I wanted to share. Last night at church, I was blessed to have several women thank me for speaking up in our church class. I didn't say anything really insightful or amazing during class. However, I had a handful of women come up to me after and thank me for my comments. Two of them actually said they wanted to say the same comment but were scared. Well, if you know me, I don't really care what people think or say about me so I don't get scared much in groups of people, especially women. A friend of mine told me that she is always worried what people will think of her after she speaks up in class. I can see how people can feel that way. I guess I just doesn't bother me what people say, I'm not sure if that is a blessing or a curse. But, I do know that I was both humbled and overwhelmed by the women who thanked me for speaking up during church class last night. You can always count on me to speak up....:)

Another totally unrelated thing is that we are planning our summer already because summers fill up fast! We have a work conference for my husband, my graduate classes in KS, my husband's grad classes, and church camp. Yes, we go to church camp:) Trying to figure it all out is like a puzzle sometimes. Anyway, I'm grateful that we are starting to plan vacations with friends (not just family). It is a tradition I hope to continue!

Well, that is all of what I was thinking last night. I know it's a lot but I wanted to share where I am at and what I've been thinking. Hopefully you can relate to something I've said.

Enjoy your day!