Becoming a friend

Since we have been in this new place, I have been very blessed with friendly people who have been hospitable and kind to us. I have been invited to parties, my kids have had playdates, people check up on how we are doing, and have been genuinely nice.

I am realizing my own shortcomings as a friend and that if I want to develop real relationships here, I need to make sure that I am taking initiative as well. I need to become the kind of friend that I want to have. It's a very simple formula. It reminds me of the advice I read when I was young and single and desperately wanted a boyfriend/husband: Become the kind of person you would like to marry.

What do I long for in a friend? That is the kind of person I am to become.

* A praying friend who specifically remembers me in prayer.
* A thoughtful friend who remembers details of my life and rejoices with me or cries with me.
* An honest friend who isn't afraid of the truth but is always kind.
* A friend who enjoys laughing and playing together.
* A person with whom I can simply be myself.

Some of my most glaring faults face me when I look at a list like this. I get caught up in my own urgent day-to-day with my husband and my kids and my thoughts and things slip by my attention. Help me, Lord, to look beyond myself and to serve others as You do.

Micah Girl

Your will, not my will

The reading in today's One Year Bible Blog includes Jesus praying in Gethsemane: "Your will, not my will." It's my prayer for today. It's one of those wonderful things that can be prayed over and over throughout the day to remind me that it's all about what God wants to do, and not about me.

And then this wonderful promise from Psalms:

How great is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you,
which you bestow in the sight of men
on those who take refuge in you.
Psalm 31:19

Blessings.

Shalom

Shalom.

Wholeness.

Peace that passes understanding.

That is what the Lord has been teaching me to seek. I have had over a month now in my new space. We left Massachusetts in December before Christmas. We spent nearly a month in California kicking back with family and relaxing after our frantic year of preparing a house for the market and selling it. We have been here in Lexington since the beginning of January.

We are still waiting on many things. My husband's job. Our new home search. Finding a home church. My application into the doctoral studies I moved here to be able to pursue. My "career" here besides wife and mother.

We have been blessed with many things I did not expect so soon. Great neighbors. Friends for the kids. Women I can call my friends. Quality time with my husband.

I am still waiting, but I am reaching deep for the shalom that God has promised and trust that He will reveal new things to me each day.