Keep it Up

Oh Monday...why do you treat me so poorly? :( I'm sure that we are all feeling a little bit like this today. BUT WAIT! There is but one week of classes left. Wahoo!

Today I was reading Thessalonians 5. There is a section on Vigilance (ironic) and at the end of that section it says in verse 11, "Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as you already do."

This applied, I felt, in two ways to this time of my life. I have had to seriously concentrate to get motivated for things here at the end of this semester. But, the verse made me think of all the beautiful encouraging our bible study does for one another. There are struggles that I know I would not have made it through without the prayers of our awesome group. The rest of the verse talks about not living as everyone else does and I guess I want to thank you for blazing a trail, ladies. Thank you for loving in a way that is so rare these days, thank you for struggling alongside me. As I was meditating on this, specifically, I recalled one of the first times we got together this year. We were at Gina's house to watch the Passion of the Christ and I felt like I literally was hanging on with a thread of life left in me. It was during that whole sinus/pass-out/screaming/excruciating pain thing. My great friend, Jake, had just passed away and though I put on a face for most people...I've never been so miserable in all my life. BUT...God, in his infinite and wonderful wisdom and love sent all of you into my life right at that moment. Even if cheering me up meant that Connie and Kirsten would offer me copious amounts of pain-killers and make us all laugh...so be it. ;D In short, I suppose, this verse brings fresh air into all of the blessings in my life including you beautiful women.

Secondly, as many of you know, my head has been sort of in the clouds for the first time in a long time. The cause? Of course!...a boy. Silly boys. I've been chomping at the bit for God to tell me what the crap I'm supposed to do! And He does, everyday. It's the first time that I've been able spend time with a boy and honestly not freak about what they are thinking (although i do it sometimes still). This semester, more and more, I've realized that even the people that we are attracted to should be first treated like our brothers in Christ. I have a lot of guy friends and it's second nature to treat them like that, but it never really occurred to me before that it can translate into dating life. SO...God has great timing because this morning I was daydreaming in class (dang) and I started to get impatient with relationships and thinking about them. But then God swooped in with a good point, "encourage one another and build one another up, as you already do." Ok...Thanks, God. Thanks for keeping my head on straight. I realize that the coolest thing about a relationship is that we have a perfect opportunity to live this verse out. It has never occurred to me that I might want to support someone that I was in a relationship in spiritual growth. (i know, i feel like "duh, Sam!") But this semester has been so different in that regard. I am so much more at peace with myself, even, when I'm with this person because, like never before, I want them to fall in love, not with me, but with Jesus inside of me. *sigh* Of course, there are days that I'm not as successful as others, but what a wonderful adventure this has been. So much peace...bringing God into this area of life, no joke, takes at least one-billion percent of the past struggles away. ...no exaggeration...

So...wow...this is a long post, but God is such a cool guy!!!! In closing

1. I'm here for ya gals as finals approach....I have Hulk gloves if you want to box out your frustration on a couch cushion or something. ;)

2. Thanks for always encouraging me...literally leading me closer to God when I feel so far away and tired. You guys are amazing and only God will be able show you how beautiful you all have been.

3. I'll see you guys tonight. Let's live this verse out more and more. Such peace comes from His guidance. Wahoo!