Contentment in Relationships

A few weeks ago I was invited to attend a women's forum. I didn't have any idea of what that meant, but I decided to attend. Yesterday Lisa (yay Lisa!) and I went. All I can say is, "wow." It wasn't so much that I learned anything brand new, however, I was reminded of that which I had forgotten. Four women from all walks of life were at the front of the room. There was a young, single girl. There was a women that was young and had been married for five years. There was a women in her early forties with three children. And there was a woman that was in her fifties with children that were out of the home. They were asked questions about contentment - what it looked like, what the struggles are... etc. My original thought was to share with you the tidbits of information that I learned, but I think I will share my favorite point. No matter how big your problem, no matter what you are going through - remember the big picture. Remember to ask yourself - what is the significance of this trial in light of all eternity. And finally, remember - in the end... LOVE always wins.

The Essence of God

This morning was a rainy morning. I laid in bed, enjoying the warmth and quiet, and read for a bit while my husband and dog were snoring away. I read, "I am the essence of God." My immediate reaction was, "Wow. That's a bold statement. I don't think that I can claim myself to be the essence of the almighty God." But then I put the book down for a moment and started to think. What do I believe? I believe that I am God's creation. Is not my creation, such as this very blog, my essence? Isn't it what shows me? A painter paints his very essence when he paints a canvas. In that same way could I truly be the essence of God? I think I struggle with this because I am so often broken, unloving, selfish... How could the terrible me possibly be the essence of a perfect, loving, giving God? I don't think that I will come to an awakening in this post. I'm not even sure if I'll ever fully understand what it is that I'm talking about... all this essence business. But I have a lovely, calming feeling that God is taking me somewhere with this.