Humbled by a Happy Thought

So I've thought emailing forwards and those tests and quizzes was a bit well juvenile. But there are a few that are going around Facebook recently that grown adults I love and respect seem to be doing. One is 25 random facts--and I've thought about doing that, but I'm not sure if I know 25 completely random and interesting things about myself, though I may try. But the other one is the "Things I know about you" one--where you list the last 20 or so people who posted on your site, and give them numbers and then you answer random questions referencing the number. It makes some interesting answers.

I was totally amazed when I got one in my inbox today, and a friend of mine posted in answer to the question What is the worst and best thing about number 15? (#15 being me)
"She can be her own worst enemy, but I would not be where I am today without her."

And I do know the first part is true--my own insecurities do tend to hold me back more than anything else.

But what if the second part is true too?
I'm awed and humbled by that.

That God would use me to make such a difference in one person's life. And maybe my friend tends to exaggerate, and just has a way of turning a phrase..but it was definitely a happy thought for me today.

Giddy

So I know I'm supposed to be a grown-up. But I get so giddy and kid-like when I see an Amazon package waiting for me. Such an amazing event--getting books by mail. Maybe it's the fact that these will not only provide excitement and enrichment in this moment, but in all the moments after when I open each book. I know it's an old saying that a book is a present you open again and again--but I do believe it's true.

Epiphany

I know it's several days past the actual day of Epiphany, but I wanted to take a minute to tell of an insight that God allowed me to see recently.

At church we had been discussing the origin of sin, and why Eve went and ate that fruit and why didn't God just step in and stop her. He could have easily shown up and said.. ah ha--what do you think you're doing?? and they would have said.. Oh.. I'm sorry Lord, it'll never happen again. Things were perfect in the Garden, so God probably wouldn't have yelled too much--so just the rarity of the event would have had an impact. And life would have gone on perfectly. Why didn't God do that?

It seemed easy enough to explain. God wanted to tell a redemptive story. He wanted to give mankind years to try and do things on their own. And then say, here's a way. He wanted to show them what they were saved from. What His grace bought them out of--He wanted them to see that. So he waited several thousand years before Jesus appeared.

Would we have realized His grace and mercy if we had stayed in the garden? If everything had stayed perfect, would we have looked to him for our perfecting? I can't know for sure, but I don't think so. Isn't it human nature not to know how good we have it? God wanted to be sure we knew how futile it was to do things on our own.

And as I sat in my Sunday School class, in this discussion, I realized something. God is doing the same thing in my life. When he makes me wait for things--such as a husband and home of my own--He's allowing me to see that my fulfillment doesn't (or shouldn't) come from those things. My identity is found in the fact that I'm a child of God--not in my marital status. I'm not sure I would have appreciated that had I not had this waiting time.

And when and if they do arrive--I will know to treasure them. And love the Giver of these gifts more, because in His grace, He allowed me the time to learn to love Him.

So let us not let the time go duly by.

Under Construction

So inspired with a new year--I have plans to make my blog pretty. So bear with me and it should be looking spiffy in no time. Whether it will be insightful as well is yet to be decided.