Believing the Best

Do you ever doubt that God of the universe could love you?

Though I could look you in the eye and truthfully say, “Jesus loves me,” my actions communicate I don’t really believe God truly loves me, or that others genuinely do either.

Recent interactions have reminded me how far I have yet to go in believing the best about God (that He has my best interests at heart) and believing the best about others close to me (that they really like me and value my company and wouldn’t want to intentionally hurt me).

I wonder, why is believing the best so difficult and/or risky?

Dancing With God

My mom sent recently this to me. I don’t know who wrote it, but I like it:

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw “G” I thought of God, followed by “u” and “i.”
“God, "u" and "i" dance."

God, you, and I dance.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.

Even cake decorators need editors

Wal-Mart Employee: "Hello 'dis Walmarts, how can I help you?"

Customer: "Yes, I would like to order a cake for a going away party this week."
Wal-Mart Employee: "Whatcha want on the cake?"

Customer: "Best Wishes Suzanne."
And underneath that, "We will miss you."

Health

Today I’m thankful I have a healthy body, and that my most of my family and close friends do too. When I hear about friends of friends who are experiencing extreme health struggles (cancer, strokes, paralysis, etc…) I realize how often I take for granted my lack of maladies.
Though I’m tempted to complain about how a new prescription is affecting my body in odd ways, I realize how much worse it could be, and how much worse it is for many. Then I remember to pray for them and to do anything else I can to help. I also remember how much better it will be in heaven where there is no disease, no pain or suffering.
In the meantime, between here and heaven, I ask God to comfort the hurting, heal the sick, and bind up the brokenhearted.

excuses, excuses

I know, I know! It's been like forever since I updated this blog (and I've completely let my other one go).
Well, since I got a couple complaints from people who may actually want to read the thing, I'll take a stab at some excuses, or explanations, if you will.
I'd like to be better about blogging. But understand, I have some perfectionist tendencies and if I don't feel like I can do something well, I may not do it at all.

So, it's true, being engaged (and consequently planning a wedding) is exciting and wonderful and takes up much of my time and attention.
Also, some other life changes to note: I'm now working 24 hours a week, though doing the exact same duties, at my job.
I'm taking two classes at UCCS to prepare for graduate school and still doing a fair amount of freelance editing.
Then, there's the balancing two different small-group Bible studies, premarital counseling homework, spending time with my man, catching up with friends and family, starting to train for a 100-mile bike ride, and writing etc...
These are all wonderful things! I'm just trying to figure out how to do it all, and realizing sometimes I can't. That's when blogging goes.
But don't worry, I'll be back (hopefully soon).