Over the past couple of weekends I have been able to visit with friends that I have not seen since August. Much like the water scenario it was incredibly refreshing to get to see, hug and talk to them. I never quite realize just how much I miss them until they get here and then leave again. While they were here I had so much to catch up on that I got to relive some of the best moments of how 2011 ended for me including the restoration and reframing of my relationship with God. It was so good to get back to the roots and experience that all over again. I don't mean to brag, but I'm pretty good at storytelling. If you ever have had the opportunity to hear me share a story in real life you can literally see me reliving the moment. I thank God for that talent. I know that my passion is my gift from him, no matter how much people make fun of me for it. I don't care. It doesn't change a thing.
Anyway, this past weekend on Friday I got to have lunch with my old roommates from a couple years ago whom I lived in the Shack with. For those of you who don't know the Shack is a ministry house for a campus ministry called Icthus. The same campus ministry that saved my life. We talked about Icthus a lot past, present and future. We've all been worried that Icthus was going under. It is a completely student led ministry, therefore will take many shapes throughout it's life. We have been trying to hold onto the past instead of embracing the unknown with God and letting Him mold it to what it needs to be. Therefore, it looked like a sinking ship. After long discussions it has been revamped into something completely different which is extremely exciting. I'm anxious to see what God has planned. It's got to be big, because if it were going to die it would have already. So, I'm asking you to pray for Icthus. That God will continue to use it to reach people in anyway it can.
Sorry, I got a little off topic on that note, but it was important to get out there. So, back to lunch on Friday. One of my old roommates, Carrie, and I have one of those friendships that you could never live together but when you go months without seeing or talking you miss them like crazy. She was talking and paid me this enormous compliment that means so much more coming from her than anyone of the other girls for some reason. This compliment just refreshed me on what, not just christianity, but life is about. Relationships. Relationships of every kind. Good, bad, deep, shallow. They all serve a purpose. The important thing is that we reach out at any given moment like we have no past, no scars and neither do they. It's not about throwing in their face what they're doing wrong. It's not about throwing in their face what they should be doing. It's about being there and living with them. That's it. God is in everything, therefore He will be seen through ANYthing, not just Bible verses. God is life. I see people all the time limit Him to the borders of the church and say that it is our duty to get them to the church and then God will take it from there. But God is everywhere. We need to realize that and quit worrying about when and where He can work and just live. Live to love. God will work.
**Exit stage left off the soap box.**
Love you all.
