woah

I came home from AWANA tonight to a message on my machine from the gal I'd written about before. I admit, I was more than surprised.

I was re-reading 2 Peter again tonight. It was what we were discussing in small group the other day....I felt God speak in new ways. I was really drawn to the first chapter...

I Peter 1:3-11
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Message:
3-4Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.
5-9So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.
10-11So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I feel very met.

I went into prayer. I prayed about the situation again, asking the Lord to prepare my heart, etc. I got to thinking how alike she and I are (perhaps her personality is a tad stronger than mine). I started thinking more about the scenerio. Then, He smacked me, right between the eyes. I was reminded (thank you Lord) of the time not all that long ago when I had a run in with a CSR at Target. I let her have it. Then, I gave her a dirty look following that "event." Oh, my goodness. I would be so embarassed to run into her at church/Bible study/etc. My actions were so not Christ-like. So, I get it, even more than I got it before.

This is what happens when you ask God to mold your character. :)

It's a small world after all...

Ok, here's one of those times that my flesh doesn't want to learn something new.

During spring break, there was a group of moms that came into work a couple times. I had to deal with them in regards to supervision of their children/safety. They were extrememly snotty, rude- glares and eye rolls. Which of course led their children to eye rolls and glares. I didn't go off on them. In the back of my head, I kept thinking- what if I were to see them in church? What if they were new and saw me? Would they want to stay?

I let it go- for the most part. Unfortunately, the one negative memory from spring break did stay.

Then, this morning, I went to try out a small group. Guess who was sitting there? Yep, the one I saw as the ringleader of nastiness. Part of me really wanted to say something- but it wouldn't have been out of love and it wouldn't have been appropriate. Another part of me was really uncomfortable and wanted to leave.

As I drove away (after it was all over), I got kind of irritated. Wrongfully so, irritated with God. I didn't want to see her again. But now, not only do I see her, I find out we go to the same church. I, in fact, hadn't forgiven her and the other ladies for the way I was treated. And now, God's going to work on my heart- if I submit. So really, there's no if. It's a no brainer. I want to grow closer to God and will not allow such a petty thing to keep me from Him. I suspect though, I'll be praying a lot on this one.