I'm ba-aaaack! Sorry for taking a few days off. With all that has been going on in the country, I just needed a couple of days to process and get my "sea legs" under me.
These are crazy times we're living in, unprecedented, as the media keeps repeating but that's not so. The Bible tells us that "there is nothing new under the sun." There have been contentious, ugly political battles before. There have been pandemics or plagues before. Nations have changed directions and politics and even disappeared before. Families have been ripped apart by ideals before. The only things that change are what disease is infecting us, the people and nations involved, the particular ideals at stake.
Other things I am thankful for this week include:
An awakening among God's people, the church. I have witnessed many waking up to how far off track we have veered in this country. I have seen many grow and deepen their faith through the past months.
Tim continues to feel better, not just from the procedure he had done, but in general.
Sunny days with temperatures in the 60's and 70's...in November...in Pennsylvania! What the heck?? I love fall weather and cooler temperatures, but I can appreciate it.
Post election behavior hasn't been as bad as I'd expected.
Fall's savory flavors and hearty foods. I love me some comfort foods!
I'm continuing to do well on Adipex. My appetite is small to non-existent, I feel good and the pounds are slowly coming off.
The new Sketchers sneakers I got are very comfortable and they seem to do a pretty good job of supporting my feet. I walked all over Walmart yesterday with Megan and the kids and wasn't in pain when I was done.
Two weeks ago I wrote a long overdue letter to a previous pastor of ours. I was president of the church council when he was forced out of the church. I liked the man, but believed his ministry had become so compromised by the division in the church that I reluctantly became the public voice of those seeking to oust him. I never actively campaigned for his removal. There were those in the church that were determined to remove him and they went over the council and behind many backs to see that it got done. In retrospect, I wasn't mature enough to have been the leader in the situation. I had no idea that church members, people that I loved, trusted, and counted as family could be so sneaky and use me so badly. In the end Tim and I felt just as used and abused as the pastor and his family must have felt and we left the church less than 2 months after he did. To shorten a long story, I received a letter from him. He definitely still feels the pain of those days, but he has moved on and life since then has been good for him...and he accepted my apology and forgave me.
And of course, as always, I am thankful for each one of you!
Linking up today with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand.
That was good of you to write the pastor. Sometimes it is hard to see what is really going on around us.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anita. Time and maturity tend to bring wisdom and perfect our hindsight.
DeleteWow, that took a lot of courage and faith to write that letter to your former pastor. Thank you for doing that. I am sure that meant a lot to him to receive it. We have been in very contentious churches in the past, and have taken our own lumps as the pastor and wife, and there have been people that hurt us deeply who have never said they were sorry. But God always took care of us and moved us on to better things and places. Oftentimes the churches that were so mean spirited suffered and split and/or disintegrated as a result of their lack of faith and good Christian principles. Some people may have grown spiritually as a result...we can only pray so. Thank you for taking that step to make things right with God's servant. I know it was a blessing to him. I hope things in our nation get figured out and we can get on with better things...but God may have some discipline to perform on our country, and this may be the way He does it...we shall see what happens. He will always take care of His own no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words of encouragement, Pam. I know I should have done it a long time ago. The Spirit had been prompting me for quite some time, but I resisted out of fear. It was when I was doing my morning Bible study that the lesson hit me hard and I knew there was no more putting it off. I'm glad I did. It's a large weight off my conscience and it's always better to be obedient to God's leading. :) Yes, he said a small number of people had said they were sorry, but nothing as specific or as heartfelt. He commended me for doing it and invited me to stay in touch. Talk about humbling! I am glad it ended well as I have felt bad all these years. He was the pastor who saw something in me and constantly pushed me to grow and step out in faith and in leadership. God is faithful and God is good...ALL THE TIME!
DeleteI am glad Tim is doing better! I think the rioters are waiting to see who is actually elected when all of the counting and re-counting are done. I'm sure writing that letter and getting your former Pastor's response brought you both some peace. You are right - God is on His throne and is in control. xo
ReplyDeleteHi, Terri! Thanks for the encouraging words. I suspect you are right about those prone to violence, but I still pray it doesn't come to pass now or later.
DeleteThat was nice that you wrote that letter. I enjoy your honest post. I am glad your husband is doing better. My Tuesday 4 was about school and I posted a lot of pictures. It gave me a time to reflect on where I have been and where I am going. Even in old age, God can use me. He has a purpose for me and you. I think we grandmas can do a lot to show God's love to our grands. So much to be thankful for. I am doing 2 gratitude projects in journals through Illustrated Faith. More time in the Word less time on tv. You are right, God is in control!
ReplyDeleteI agree. God has purpose for every believer who still has breath and life. We are never done serving or learning. Praising the Lord for that!
DeleteI just said that to my husband about how none of this is new. The world isnt going to end whoever becomes President. Tensions & problems will always be with us.
ReplyDeleteSea legs is a good way to state it.
Ha! No surprise there, you and I always seem to be thinking alike and at the same time.
DeleteThank you for sharing your personal testimony. My situation doesn't involve a church ministry, there's been a letter that needs written for a long time now.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Tim's feeling better! My head's still not in a good place, but I'm doing lots of praying.
Glad to hear your husband is getting better and also that you found some comfortable shoes. The older I get the more important it is to me to have comfortable shoes.
ReplyDeleteSo cool that you wrote that letter of apology. It is so important for us to be able to apologize when needed. It is good for the one apologizing and the one receiving. May God bless you.