Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Kind Of Friends We Used To Be (part 2)

People change.

The ever common theme of our story. You and me. The friends nobody thought would ever be any different. With one always holding they other while they cried. When one laughed, the other was filled with joy. But not anymore. We couldn't be two more different people.

When we met, we were different from each other. But different in another way. Not like we are now.

I was loud, you were quiet. I talked to anyone who would listen, you were painfully shy. But somehow, we became best friends. Inseparable. When you went through one of the most trying times in your life, I was your biggest cheerleader. Together, we fought the battle headfirst and came out victorious.

We were unstoppable. We were the best of friends. Forever.

But people change.

And here on earth, forever can end.

We're so different now, you and me.

If someone looked at my life, then at yours, they would never be able to guess that we were once best friends. Or that we even know each other. I used to ask myself all the time, what happened? What could have torn us apart? Taken us on separate paths?

I don't ask that anymore. I stopped asking a long time ago.

We just... drifted.

One day here, the next day gone.

Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if we hadn't changed. If our paths hadn't taken a fork. They rarely cross now. But when they do cross, I am reminded of how we used to be.

The kind of friends we used to be.

I still love being with you. Knowing that even though we aren't who we used to be, we're still friends. I'll never forget those years. I know you won't either.

I used to tell myself that maybe someday things would be different. That we wouldn't be so different. That maybe someday I could once again call you my best friend. Forever.

But I realize now, that probably won't happen. We'll just keep drifting. You'll live your life, and I'll live mine. You'll have your best friends and I'll have mine. The maids of honor at our weddings won't be each other, like our little girl dreams said they would be. They'll be different people. Because everything's different.

Because people change.

But that's okay.

I'm okay.

I hope you are.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

The Kind Of Friends We Used To Be (part 1)

It's weird. It's really weird. A year ago, you were my best friend in the whole world. I barely talked to anyone else. Maybe that's where I made the mistake. Making you my only friend. Letting you be exclusive to me.

Anywho..

But now... now it's like we barely know each other. It's weird how we've both moved on. Like it never even happened. I have my friends, you have yours. It's not like we're not friends. But it's different. I'll never forget the day when we confirmed we could no longer be best friends. That you couldn't be my buddy. And I couldn't be yours.

It's funny. I didn't cry. I guess by then, I'd cried so much, all the tears had been drained out of my eyes. And now, it's like we barely know each other. True, we can still easily converse. But, those silent pauses aren't the comfortable silence they once were.

They're almost awkward. Each of us wondering what on earth to say next.

I have people I love so much. They're the best friends I could ever have. Something I've always wondered is, what it's like for you. Watching me interact with these people on Facebook. Knowing that they're my best friends. And that you and I barely talk. I half want to ask you. But I'm not going to. Those days of knowing every thought the other thinks are over. But watching you interact with other people, it's weird. Sometimes, I read the comments and consider how that used to be me. Once, I even imagined how the conversation would've gone had the other person been me. Only once though.

I keep saying it's weird... but it is. Knowing that a year ago...six months ago...we were inseparable. And now... we're not. Everything's different now.

But that's okay.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

In Every Thing Give Thanks

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18


EVERYTHING.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. The day when we take time to pause and reflect on all the blessings in our life. And to be thankful for them.

But what about those things in our lives that weren't exactly blessings? 

Are we supposed to be thankful for those too?

Yup

You remember that time in your life when so-and-so wasn't exactly being the greatest friend ever? Or what about that day last week when nothing could go right? 
Are you thankful for them?

"Uh...what?"

You heard me right. 

Are you thankful for them?

Think about it. So what if so-and-so wasn't being a good friend? Didn't you find out that the other so-and-so was the best friend you could ever have?

And that day last week... everything was falling apart! But remember when that random person in your life gave you a hug and/or told you everything was going to be okay? And that they were praying for you?

Those are things to be thankful for. 

Those instances gave you those things.

In every thing give thanks. 

I went through several years of turmoil back in my early teens. But I sit here today stronger than ever. God taught me so much through those years. True, I'm still healing. I'm still learning. 

If I hadn't gone through what I went through, I would not be the person I am today. God has placed a passion for teens and children into my heart, that I might not have discovered if not for what happened to me. It is because of what happened to me that God was able to open my eyes. Open my eyes to get a tiny glimpse of His purpose for my life. 

So guess what?

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for:

My family

My friends (certain friends especially).

My beautiful life.

My amazing Savior.

And my time of turmoil. 

Because in that time of turmoil, I was tried. And purified. And I'm coming out as gold. 

What are you thankful for?



Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I Believe

i believe.

Those two words are so powerful.

I want to run outside and run down my road yelling it at the top of my lungs

I believe!

I'll shout it from on top of the nearest hill. I want everyone to know.

I Believe!!

Go outside.

Look around.

Do you believe?

God is real.

Ladies and gentlemen, God. Is. REAL.

Do you believe?

Have you been outside lately? Have you seen the trees? The birds? The hills? Creation?

God made that.

Look in the mirror.

See that person peeking back at you?


God made them. And guess what? That's you.


God. Made. YOU.


God. Loves. YOU.


Do you believe?


How could you not?


All around, nature screams that she has a Creator.


Did you wake up this morning?

Are you alive?

Does this world exist?

Yup.

How could it?

If there is no God, how could any of this exist?


Something cannot randomly come out of nothing.

It has to be made.

God made the universe. The earth. Nature. You. Me. Everything.

Do you believe?


I BELIEVE!!!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Great is God's Faithfulness

Great is Thy Faithfulness has recently become my favorite hymn. Every word oozes the everlasting, unending faithfulness of God. It praises God, thanking Him for His eternal faithfulness. The other day, I was thinking about the hymn, considering what I would say if questioned by an unbeliever about God's faithfulness. The words of the hymn continued coursing through my mind. But in a different way. As if I was speaking to someone, telling him of God's faithfulness, instead of speaking to God, praising Him for His faithfulness. I found my journal and a hymnbook and began re-writing the hymn. The message is still the same, but this time it speaks directly to an unbeliever.

Verse 1
Great is God's faithfulness, He is my Father;
I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that He will not leave me;
He doesn't change, His compassion never fails;
He will forever be who He has always been--God.

Chorus
Great is God's faithfulness;
Great is God's faithfulness;
Every morning I awaken to see His abundant mercies renewed;
Everything I've needed God has provided;
Great is God's faithfulness to me!

Verse 2
As the summer, winter, spring, and harvest pass by,
And the sun, moon, and stars continue in their ways;
They all join nature with an abundant testimony;
Testimony of God's faithfulness, mercy, and love!
(chorus)

verse 3
My sin has been pardoned and I'm surrounded by an enduring peace;
God's sweet presence alone cheers and guides me;
I have strength for today and a bright hope for tomorrow;
He has blessed me abundantly with many more around the corner!
(chorus)

I wouldn't try to sing this with the original tune. As the metering and such goes, it's completely different from the original song. Maybe someday I'll find music that matches.

I hope as you read these new words that the message of the song is still the same. This song is a living testimony to what God has done in my life. He has been forever faithful and has never changed. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will continue to be the faithful, unchanging God.