Thursday, November 6, 2008

What a Day!

Me, Kimberly, and Lauren on this gorgeous fall day!

Have you ever had one of those days where everything seemed to go right??? Betcha thought I was going to say wrong! Well, today was one of those! I love and NEED days like this one...it's not over yet! Child # 1 STILL has church basketball practice from 9-10pm tonight!!! I am so ready to wash my face, slap on my Mary Kay moisturizer, and put on my jammies! I really don't think my son would appreciate my going to the church gym looking that way! He would totally disown me! So, I'll stay perky a little while longer and share my day with you!

First, let me go ahead and tell you that I have NOT finished studying about Mr. M from my previous post! By the time I've gotten to my Hebrews Bible study after 10ish each night, my eyes are starting to roll! I can't even read through a sentence without forgetting what I just read. So...I will get to it when I get to it. Just let me say that I do know Mr. M was both a prophet and a king and that in some ways prefigured Jesus. I really can't wait to dig into this!
Many of y'all are regulars at Kimberly's blog, A Planting of the Lord. Well, Kimberly and I don't live far from each other. We met today at an undisclosed chicken restaurant--in case Lysa T. is reading this, we don't want her to be mad 'cause there was NO Chick-fil-a in the vicinity. Another friend of mine, Teresa, went with me to do some antiquing as well. We just planned a BIG day! Gas prices were even down---woohoo! Kimberly gave me a coupon for a free meal---double woohoo!!! And one of the biggest woohoo's was that God joined us on this gorgeous fall day. He seasoned our conversation with grace, laughter, and hope. He encouraged us through His wonders and His Word. What I felt was His love and peace.
In Chapter 8 of Lisa Whittle's Book, Behind Those Eyes, she says that God 's love is without pretense, without conditions, and without limits. He loves us with complete abandon! We are a part of His family. He knows us so intimately that it is mind boggling. Sitting there having lunch today reminded me of the love that He has for us. We were able to fellowship with each other, pray with each other, and talk and laugh with each other. I see that as a part of Heaven! Only in Heaven, we won't have to hurry and eat to go get in carpool line! The more I learn about my Heavenly Father, the more amazed I am that He claims me as His own daughter. Wow! Isn't that awesome?

I loved the part in Lisa's book where she talks about God's acceptance of us being so different from the way that the world accepts/rejects us. We sometimes feel judged by those around us. We simply can't compare the world's standards to His. God already knows that He accepts us just as we are...with all of our failures and faults and insecurities, but He wants us to know that--to REALLY know that.

Today, while Teresa and I were driving, she shared with me some things about her childhood and teenage years. Things that she didn't like but things that eventually drove her to see that she needed Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Bless her heart, she kept saying that she was going to scare me away as her friend by what she shared. She didn't! She is a darling girlfriend!! We've all been judged in some way or the other by the standards of the world, but what matters is if God loves and accepts us--yucky stuff and all--we should do the same for our fellow man---or woman in this case!

The Lord you God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you , he will quiet you with his love. (Zeph. 3:17) I love that He takes "great delight" in each of us! I took delight in being with my precious friends today. I also took delight in His joining us and blessing our time together. He took delight in the fact that we are each different and accept each other just for who we are...children of God. Our hearts are bound together in a shared love and awe of our Abba.

Many Blessings,

16 comments:

LeeBird3 said...

I'm so jealous....I wish we could meet for lunch...I miss you muchly.

Got really bad news about my brother-in-law today: stage 4 cancer....in his left lung and wrapped around his aorta...also in his right lung, on his adrenal gland, and possibly on his liver.

My heart is pretty much broken tonight...but I'm trying to trust.

On Purpose said...

Hey I too am feel VERY left out...all the way over here in the Pacific Northwest...in the rain and the win...and the cold...are you feeling sorry for me yet...??!

No really I am insanely jealous you got to hug miss Kim!

Joy Junktion said...

To have a friend like you would be such a treat. But I'm fortunatel 'cuz I get to live near Leebird!!!

Bless you, Cindy

Runner Mom said...

Y'all! I just think we need a bloggy land meeting place! Somewhere in the middle! Uh,maybe Lelia's house in the middle of Nebraska???HeeHee! Kimberly and I wish that y'all could have joined us. We will get together soon!!
Hugs!!
S

KelliGirl said...

What a wonderful day! Isn't a beautiful fall the perfect backdrop?

BTW, after I read your post on Melchi, THAT evening I prepared for my Bible study on Nehemiah. One of the verses had a note to reference a verse in Genesis. When I went there are started reading, guess whose name I saw? Yep, Melchi. Isn't that weird!!!

Have a great day!
Blessings,
Kelli

Kimberly said...

Thank you, again, for inviting me to meet with you and Teresa! I had the best time! It really was like we were old friends getting together to talk about His love and His faithfulness in our lives! I love how He binds our hearts together through Him!!!

I feel so blessed to have had the honor of spending time with you in person! You are as much of a joy to be around as you are to read! Ummmm....I hope that made sense! :)

Blessings, sweet friend! Looking forward to the day that all of us bloggers can praise the Lord together in heaven!

Kimberly said...

I almost forgot! I love this picture of Lauren giving me a smooch! Too fun! Thanks for making my sweetie feel so welcome, too! :)
Love,
K

Paula V said...

What a blessing to meet blog friends.

That is a great pic and how cute of Lauren kissing Kimberly.

Great application to the study and life experienced today...well, now yesterday since this is Friday.
Love ya,
Paula

Shell in your Pocket said...

What a great friend!
Beautiful pictures!
-sandy toes

Carol said...

What a blessing you are as a friend, to reasure her that she is loved and accepted.

Sounds like a great day.

Carol

Lisa said...

Susan..
Beautiful thoughts here. I love your zest for life -- it is contagious! Thank you for being an example of grace and love and strength -- all the things that are only possible in us THROUGH Him.

I am blessed by you, sister!
Lisa :)

Luanne said...

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you , he will quiet you with his love. (Zeph. 3:17)

One of my favorite verses!! The Glory Revealed cd has this verse put to song!!

Unknown said...

What a great picture. Y'all look like you are having the time of your life. And that's just what we have when we accept and understand God's love for us. Great post. And yes we do need a bloggy meeting!

Yolanda said...

God Stops!

Isabel said...

How come you never come meet me for lunch?? I'm must a hop, skip and a very long jump away. :)

My dear, how I miss you and I love hearing the things that happen in your crazy, godly life. You are a true gem and I am blessed to call you friend!!

Love,
W

Kelley said...

Hi Susan!!
I am so sorry I haven't been by to visit recently but you are never far from my thoughts and prayers!! I have been meaning to send you the info on how I get the scripture on my photos. It is easy if you have the right program (I use Corel Paint Shop Pro). Anyway, I have enjoyed your post here today (I really struggle with that "not being liked by the world thing" so it was good to be reminded that God loves me just as I am!! Oh, and I just spoke about Melchizedek in my last lecture at CBS. That is one interesting story!! Sorry to leave you a novel, I should probably check in more often, huh?

Love ya,
Kelley