Maureen

So what exactly is friendship? And how does one person acknowledge an individual in their life who will drop everything for you and come when you need them.

Well I have been blessed to have a friend just like what I have described above. This person is someone who I can share some of my deepest secrets with and yet will be honest enough with me to set me straight if I need it. They are a person who will continully open their heart and their home to me and never even consider to give it a second thought as to what is in it for them. This person can pray with me a the drop of a hat and has an uncanny way of knowing just exactly when I need them to do that.

I think if a a person would only have one friend like this in their life they would be abundently blessed. I think this type of friend is one who portrays Christ's arms, ears and heart in the flesh. How blessed I am to have such a friend.

Reflections on Returning Home

I find it incredibily amazing when I return home from a trip how I somehow feel I need to totally put my life in some kind of different perspective. Is it because being away from a small town like Sandusky makes you realize how totally insignicicant the problems and concerns are in this part of the world or does it make who I am and what I do seem insignificant in comparison to what is out there in this great big world?

As is the usual practice to re-evaluate my life after being away, unfortuately this time it is just a little different than it ever has been for me before and I am fighting with all my might not to allow myself to slip into the abyss of depression. So with that said. I will go into my prayer closet and trust with all my being that God is totally in control of my life. I will look at the wonderful blessings He has given me and the way in which He has seen me through so much. I will meditate on what Paul said in Phil 4:11 ... to be content whatever the circumstances.

God as our Cheerleader

I started out this session going over what kind of week I had and what I have to expect next week. After about 15 minutes of dialogue, I deleted it and started over. What I was realizing was although my week was wild and next week may be worse, God has blessed me with the ability to handle it all. I think back to the times I talked to him last week, studied His word, enjoyed his blessings and can only comment WOW. Let me mention some of my special blessings. First is knowing that my kids are totally in His hands. Do you have any idea what stress that takes off of a parent? Since my daughter has moved away, I have had the opportunity to talk with her more than I ever had in the past (and we were the rare mom and daughter who always shared with each other) -- so who wouldn't praise God for that blessing. Then my son calls to tell me he is doing the dance for Long Train on Saturday in Gahanna. Yikes a 2.5 hour trip down and 2.5 hour trip back to watch him dance -- did I go? You bet! I wouldn't miss it for the world. Did I get to talk with him much while I was at the band show -- maybe 20 minutes or so. Did it make a difference to me that I couldn't spend more time with him -- absolutely not. I always wanted my kids to know I was in the stands of a football stadium or in the living room of my home cheering them on. Just like God does for us. He is always there cheering us on -- we always know he is in the stands. Who do you cheer on?

My Newest Adventure

Due to an educated individual sharing the concept of Blogging with me, I find myself embarking on this new experience. The development of this site was a little more difficult than I anticipated and I am aprehensive about how it really works. The other thing that has me confused is will what I have to add to this site really be of any significance.

Well for whatever it is worth, let me begin by stating a few facts. First, I have been so blessed in this life that I have to sometimes wonder why. Second, my biggest blessings are my two children. I know all mothers feel that way but if you knew my two, you would have to agree. Third, if Jesus Christ is not the Lord of your life, you need to make a decision to make it so now. Fourth, I have also been blessed with a wonderful job for a fine organization. I hope and pray that I can be the kind of leader I have been entrusted to be -- yet I daily have to fight the negative thoughts when work becomes overwhelming.

I am obviously not perfect and I fight daily with negative self-talk in spite of all the wonderful blessings I continually receive. To combat these thoughts I try to "Be joyful always; pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances ... (1Thes 5:16-18) and I find this works best for me.