Friends

There was a time in my life when I was in search of friends.  I need my people, who supported me, loved me and where close and accessible. 

Don't get my wrong I have had friends over the years, but life changes impact friends as do moves, and I had a lot going on, didn't have a lot of time, and needed people.

Every time I met a new gal I'd think, could she me by friend?  She seems nice?  How can I extend an invitation to start a friendship?  And I was always thinking this way, looking for friends, trying to build friendships to carry me and my family on our adventures.  I knew I needed people. 

I distinctly remember on of the first time I realized I had been somewhat successful at this.  My family had been sick; and a 2nd cousin of my and some folks from the church brought my family dinner.  It was left from a SOUP meal they had served at the church that night, but they thought of us and brought of a warm home cooked meal.  The left that food for us an I remember telling Keith, "we have people!"  And I meant so much with that; we had people who loved us, thought of us and cared for us in a way that I'd been looking for in friendships. 

That was a starting point for us, and I think we've done a wonderful job of connecting to people and building a community of friends for each of us individually, but as a family too.  We have people.  They're people from church; they're family, and a few good friends I've known for many years now.  I believe God wants us to live in community with people who loves us, and we've built that.  Friendships and relationships take time and forgiveness and communication and we've done that.  And I couldn't be happier!  Thank you Lord for these people! 

I've always wanted our home to be a place for people to gather, and I think I tried to push that too hard early on after we've bought our own place, but naturally it has happened over time and we welcome groups of friends, family, friends families, and our kid's friends into the home often.  This past summer, our first summer at our new home, was the epitome of that, and I'm not sure we'll have a summer like that again, but we were able to gather people from all our different areas together celebrating and enjoying each other and introducing our people to each other and it was a beautiful thing. 

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In the last few months I've had this realization; I still think like I did when I was searching for friends when I meet new people.  Maybe I'm misguided, maybe I'm ignorant, but I realized I don't need to do this anymore.  It's not that I'm not open to meeting new people and developing relationships, but I don't have to search so hard for more people.  Quality of quantity right?  I already have my people.  Sure that will change with time and life with change, but I will adapt, our family will adapt.  If I keep searching for more friends now; I need more time for each of those friendships, and I don't want that to take away from the current friendships!  I don't want those to suffer because I feel the need to keep searching for more, more, more. 

"Family Reunion"

The sermon Sunday at church was titled "Family Reunion."  The scripture came from Genesis 45:1-15. 

Pastor started the sermon by talking about human trafficking and slavery.  It happens here; slavery is not a thing of the past.  Toledo is a hot spot, #4 in the nation for human trafficking.  I like that she is talking about current events, what we're facing today and how it all relates. 

Then she turns back to the scripture of how Joseph is a story of human trafficking.  Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, but he went on to have dreams that led to the storage of food to survive a 7 year famine.  His brothers than came to where he was, but Joseph had his revenge as he hid from them, set them up, and had them arrested.  However, it was a reunion, and he could help feed his family.

A reunion is to bring something back together.

Pastor then brought this home with a family reunion in healing of relationships, reconciliation.  Where do we have relationships we need to heal?

Atonement = at one with God.  We must first be right in our relationship with God; then heal our relationships with others. 

God can turn evil things into his good too. 

Open Discussion

I want to live in a world where the hard discussions that are taboo to talk about (politics and religion to begin) are accepted and encouraged. 

The way people are offended at everything in society today, I feel like we could easily spend out time tip toeing around others, afraid saying something will be offensive or upsetting to others.  While I will never argue that we should speak without thought and consideration for others, I do think we need to move back toward a more free speech pattern of conversation. 

We expect everyone to be like us, agree with us, share our beliefs, etc.  Pause for a moment and imagine what the world would be like if that were actually true.  I think it might be a little dull a boring!  We can't change the world, if we don't accept others. 

I don't want to avoid talking about the hard stuff.  When we have those conversations with others, especially those with views different than ours, I think we have a great opportunity to learn.  We as people should be able to have civil conversations to share our thoughts, opinions and beliefs in healthy discussion.  Yes, sometimes they can be heated, and sometimes it's not appropriate, but we need to be talking about it, learning more and opening our minds to difference changes and views.  We don't have to agree; it's okay to agree to disagree, but please let's talk about the hard stuff, let's spread the real world news; the hard stuff that needs awareness brought to it.

And as Christians, let's spread the GOOD NEWS.  It isn't our responsibility to change people's minds, but to share Jesus' message.  God will handle the rest.

Most importantly, let's do this all with LOVE in our hearts for our Lord, our neighbors and ourselves.

Dreaming

I've had a weird dream.  It's happened twice now.  I thought it was a reoccurring dream, but thinking through it today realize it's actually building on itself. 

A few nights ago, I had a dream that we were living at my parents place, and I decided it would be a good idea to get a pet tiger.

Yes, a tiger.  Why?  I have no idea.

We had a giraffe too, but it caused not problems in my dream.

Apparently, I wasn't prepared for the tiger with adequate fencing, as the first night I had my dream, it got loose.  It ran around the neighborhood, but we, although terrified, managed to get it back into it's crappy fencing.

And that was the end, or so I thought.

Last night it happened again.  We were at my parents with the pet tiger it and got loose, again.

Shit.

Clearly a dream in between these was not fixing the fencing!

Last night in my dream, the tiger got out again.  I was very concerned about protecting everyone because the tiger seemed much more dangerous this time, but at the same time we had to try to get the tiger back into his shitty cage!  

As we repeatedly attempted to get our pet tiger back in my dream, it became more and more evident we were struggling and may not be able to do so on our own.  Destruction was starting, and I knew we couldn't let it get too far.

I was hesitant on calling for back up from law enforcement and wildlife patrols because I knew my pet tiger wasn't appropriately licensed in the state.  I didn't want to be in trouble!  And we liked our giraffe that wasn't causing any problems!

There really was no resolution to the dream.  I had to get up and pee of course!

Perhaps there will be a third installment?  Although I kind of hope not.  This was a bit weird.