Friendship Woes

Have you ever had to stand by while you watched a close friend make a decision that you feel is the wrong one?  Maybe it's not the wrong decision, but to you it just doesn't feel right.  Maybe you told this person your concerns and they blew you off.  Or maybe, like me, you haven't talked in a while and you wonder how can I start a 4 year gap in communication with "you are making a horrible life choice"?  It's a tough spot to be in, a painful one.  Any stories or thoughts?

Nicodemus, Myself

While reading through the book of John in the Amplified Bible, I was struck by the story of Nicodemus coming to Jesus in a way I never have been before.  You probably know the story from chapter 3 well.  Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, sneaks away to meet Jesus in the night.  He questions Christ about salvation, and Jesus tells him he must be born again of the spirit.  With just a little more research you will find out that the Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day.  They were, unfortunately, obsessed with works and legalism and were, to use a crass term, holier-than-thou.  They hated Jesus, because he claimed the authority from God that they desperately wanted, and he told them their hearts were corrupted.  But Nicodemus was different.  He saw the miracles of Jesus and started to let himself believe that maybe he was the Christ prophesied about.  But he was too ashamed to let his fellow Pharisees know this, so he snuck away like a criminal to see Jesus.

I've read the story a dozen times, but never before have I identified with the man.  Of course I would have a better understanding of the heart of the Old Testament.  I would never have been like a Pharisee!  (Not to mention that as a woman I would have been forbidden to pray out loud).  And yet, in 2011, after years of following Jesus, I find myself looking into Nicodemus' shrinking eyes and seeing myself in the reflection.

How am I like Nicodemus?  Is there a day that goes by that I do not deny Christ in some way?  The desire for acceptance often leads me away from my forgiving Father into a crowd of my peers.  I find myself wanting to fit in so much, I act is if I have to keep my Christianity hidden in a closet.  I'll let the conversation go just shy of too far, speak with answers I know others want to hear, and nod in agreement of activities I know I don't participate in.  I'll keep my Christianity a secret from people I just meet, only mentioning my faith when absolutely necessary.  It's like living a double life.  And the truth is, to be "successful" by the world's standards as a Christian, that is what you have to do.  But why, when I examine the consequences, would I choose to love the world when the Light of the world is beconning me to eternity with Him?  Oh that I could instead be like John the Baptist, whom we see later in the same chapter of John.  There was a man that lived a life without shame.  A man who spoke the Word of the Lord even when he was silent.  Oh that I could live my life like John, who was later beheaded for his faith, and entered eternity as a man who gave his all for love of the Lord.  Much more is such a life than the life led in cowardice.



(disclaimer:  I know that in a way it was brave for Nicodemus to risk his position for Christ.  But in the scope of eternity how much better is it to say "I don't even care about my position; I'm going to Jesus publicly."  I understand there is exception for people today in other parts of the world who must keep silent in persecution and share the Gospel in secrecy.  Take my comments with a grain of salt) :)

Success!

I recently posted a little teaser about a nibble I got from a publisher.  I am proud to announce that that organization is Focus on the Family and they have accepted my article for publication on their webzine, Rising Voice!  I'll be sure to post the link to the article here once it is uploaded!

Little Reminders

On the way back from court yesterday my car stalled out in the turn lane.  Panicked, all I could think of was this comical image of myself in the middle of the street trying fruitlessly to push my car to the shoulder for all of the halted drivers to see.  I was eventually able to restart the car and drive it, sputtering, to the shoulder.  Thankfully there was a Waffle House across the street where I was able to seek sanctuary while I waited almost 3 hours for the tow truck.  I'm so glad I didn't run my phone battery down playing Angry Birds that day.

It's the little things in life that remind me I'm not running the show.  I live in a fallen world, not "Monica Land."  Bad things happen every day, and I'm not exempt from them.  In this way God uses me to empathize with others, and help as I have been helped.  It's a reminder that we are all at some point helpless and vulnerable, not as independent as we all like to believe we are.  God reminded me of my dependence on Him, something I often try to deny.  He can give a car and take away a car, and even with no car I am far wealthier than most people in the world dream to be.

Car's in the shop, I'm anxiously awaiting the estimated damage.  I'm moved by how many coworkers have offered to give me rides, and am thankful to have a husband with a working vehicle.  I need these little reminders in my life that I don't control my own destiny, no matter how much I foolishly attempt to.

Nibble Nibble

What a Monday!  I had no idea when I shook myself awake this morning what God had in store for me!  I was just proud of myself for getting on the elliptical instead of sleeping in.

I got a nibble on my article submission!!  I submitted to a webzine that unfortunately rejected me but forwarded my article on to another webzine that may be a better fit!  Not sure if anything will come of it, but the editor thought it was good enough to forward on!  I can't say what the webzine is, you'll just have to guess.  Let's just say being associated with this organization would be a huge honor!

To top it all off, I've got court today to finalize an adoption for a sweet little boy.  I get to witness a child receiving a permanent family!  I never thought a Monday could be so sweet!

The Distressed Maiden Factor

Boys really like rushing to the aid of a lady in distress, even if she's not all that distressed.  It all started a few weeks ago when I just wanted to listen to my Jeremy Camp cd.  I was changing cds and driving through my apartment complex when I didn't notice the gutter that juts out from the curb.  POW!  I popped my passenger tire. My husband graciously took off the damaged tire and drove to Discount Tire to get a replacement.  However, I hit so hard that I cracked the rim, and a new one had to be ordered.

I went in today to replace the rim.  I was further frustrated to learn from staff that my two back tires are worn and need to be replaced as well.  "Let's wait until I can contact my husband." I told the incredulous attendant. "But you need tires!  What if you have to drive in the rain?"  I'm thinking "I'll be living in the rain if I buy those tires without checking the bank account first" but politely answered, "I just need to check my budget, I'll come back tomorrow if it's ok."  All eyes were on me in the waiting room as he rolled the tread-less tire back outside.  Immediately criticism and advice starting coming from all sides of the waiting area from the men waiting on their cars.  "Does your husband do the maintenance?" "Did you contact the apartment complex about painting that gutter?" "You need to rotate your tires more often" "Who changes your oil?" etc. etc.  You would have thought I didn't know what a car was.  One gentleman told me "You should rotate your tires after every oil change.  Every 5,000 miles."  "Every 5,000?" I replied, sure that I needed to change my oil more frequently than that.  "You don't know much about cars, do you?"  the man replied.  I wanted to say "You don't know much about knitting, do you?" but withheld my words.  Soon my car was ready and I rolled into work, glad to be far away from the testosterone ridden tire shop.  Alas, sounds like I'll be a stressed maiden again far too soon.

2 Years Later

You may or may not know that in May 2010 a devastating flood swept through the city of Nashville.  Dozens were killed as a result of the flood and many people lost their homes.  The Opryland Hotel and Opry Mills Mall were destroyed, both huge sources of income for Nashville.  A year later, many homes are still left vacant as flood victims were unable to afford to rebuild.  Many places have rebuilt including Opryland and the Opryland hotel, which have been open for business for several months.  It was reported yesterday that at last Opry Mills Mall has set a date for relaunch.  The mega-mall will reopen in March of 2012 (see http://www.wsmv.com/story/14949074/opry-mills-to-reopen-in-march-2012 for the full story).  March 2012. Wow.  It amazes me that it will take 2 years to recover something that was destroyed within an hour.  I can't forget the aerial shots on the news of the mall I have visited time and time again, the flood waters rushing out the doors carrying loads of merchandise with it like a giant demented washing machine.  It's not about a mall, of course.  It's about recovery and normality.  It's about adapting and overcoming.  No doubt the re-opening will a fresh breath, a beacon of hope for the citizens of Nashville.  Proof positive that we can move forward. I can't wait.