Thoughts on Waiting

Paula - 

Warm thoughts on a bitterly cold day. It's winter here in Ohio. I will freely admit that it isn't my favorite season. I don't like being cold even on the rare days the sun decides to shine. I also don't like to wait. Waiting for spring; waiting for warm days; waiting for life to re-awaken in the Earth; waiting to be surprised by the first spring flowers or the returning songbirds; waiting in general. It irks me.
But winter is necessary. I know that the Earth needs a season of dormancy to prepare for the seasons of vitality and activity. I also know that even though there maybe no outward signs of life in the ‘dead of winter,’ sap, the lifeblood of trees is beginning to flow; one by one the small songbirds are beginning to return and build nests for their young; hibernating animals begin to awaken and give birth. Slowly the ice melts and cracks and is washed away. Then, before you know it, the dead brown grass turns green and the hills are covered with wildflowers; the bitter winds of winter become gentle and warm; and the Earth bursts forth in abundant life.
I think that God also gives us seasons of ‘winter’ in our lives so that we learn to wait; to be still and know that He is God. And even though I become impatient in the waiting, I know that if I will listen and look around me that I will discover the subtle signs of His presence. Then, before I know it, I will discover the surprises He has prepared for me during the ‘winter months’ as I walk forward in the warm springtime of His love.

Reconciliation

The Lord granted me an amazing gift this last week. It was the opportunity to offer and receive forgiveness to heal some very old wounds. 

What a tremendous joy it is to say (type) "I offer you full forgiveness by His grace" and to receive the same from another person. Then to have that person offer back a sincere thanks. 

I think we, as humans, tend to hold tight to grudges and hurts. Even small ones, because we think it gives us some type of power over another. Yet, in the end, it only holds us down, and away from God's perfect love for us. 

If you are reading this and know you've got a grudge, or a hurt that is not reconciled,... just take a moment to reach out to that other person and ask for forgiveness, or offer it even if it is not requested from you. You won't believe the joy that can be associated with it!

Where to start?

Well, at the urging of a very nice friend, I have finally created a blog. You would think that a computer nerd/geek like me wouldn't need any urging, yet even though I've own my own domain (www.yorkchops.com) for over 8 years, I've never felt the urge to blog. 

Still, my friend was correct in the idea that this may be a more effective way to communicate to my friends and partners as we prepare for our call to mission work. 

Stay tuned! Lots to come!