today's ramble about stuff

I was reading a friend's blog today.  The mixed emotions of celebrating the success of friends meant having to say good-bye to seeing them on a regular basis, while realizing that having them gone meant no more support and encouragement in a location that had limited support and encouragement to begin with.  I celebrate the opportunities this family is moving towards....it will be a great step for them.  But it got me thinking about stuff....

how do we keep moving forward? How do I rejoice in the successes of those around me, pray for those struggling or in need of encouragement, maintain my boundaries, feel like I am becoming a stronger person in my faith, quit being so self-focused that it makes me mad?  Today I found a glimmer of an answer......we are in a battle - Eph 6 tells us about that.  Am I ready for it?  Not really.  But Ps 106:23 reminds the reader that Moses stood before God and defended his country men from being completely written off by God and being killed - pretty final. 

Sitting at the beach today, listening to the waves lap up on the beach, watching the bald eagles fly around and then sit quietly on the trees just down the road from my viewpoint, the encouragement to keep going forward was strong. I initially felt I needed to be at church, but was told definitively that the quiet time at the beach was of more importance.  

My uncertainty about my role in the different areas of life was looked at directly.  As long as my relationship with God is of first priority, He will show me what's next.  Freaky?  a little. Overwhelming? Not as much as it was 6 months ago. Foundational?  oh yes!  very much so. I still have so much to learn, but one thing I can say confidently is that God has done and continues to do so much in my life. I have the privilege to be on the sidelines to watch God's handiwork in the lives of friends who are living their faith in situations that seem limiting and almost unchanging. Yet there have been answers to prayers for seemingly almost hopeless seeming situations, honest emotional struggles, celebrations mixed with tears and sadness.....real life that is moving forward, no matter if we are part of the movement or not.  Life does not stop for me and my fears.  This is good to know and a wonderful place to start.

One thing that is ringing true for me today is the reminder that we all need encouragement - both to give and to receive.  A pretty weighty lesson, and yet the peace that is attached to that is wonderful.....today has been a day of encouragement, letting go of fears and bad habits, and the realization that if we are following God's direction with the best of intentions, no apologies are required.