Roles...

Hello! Wow...It's been a long time. Too long. I hope you are all doing well. So much has happened in my life in the last few months! I just thank God for His grace and mercy which endure forever. Every day I see my sinfulness more and more as I read God's Word, and I'm constantly caused to reflect on my inadequacies. But Christ is beginning to stand out much more to me as the days rush by.

Forbid it Lord that I should boast

Save inthe death of Christ my God

All the vain things that charmed me most

I sacrifice them to His blood

I need to make this my "mantra" every day!

My friend's daughter had a birthday this past Saturday, and I was talking to her mom and mother-in-law who were there. It was so neat to watch how they express their love for their children and grandchildren in such different ways. Then one of them asked me, "when are you going to have a mother-in-law?" I replied, "well, maybe it's a good thing that I don't just yet." They laughed and laughed. I didn't mean anything negative by it. Nevertheless, I'm glad they found it amusing.

The older generation in my culture seems to think that marriage is everything. But I'm enjoying life as a single person, and I'm learning where contentment is really found. It's not in a relationship with the opposite sex, in a perfect relationship with parents and family (this seems impossible sometimes), in a dream job, in stuff (shoes, make-up, cute clothes, good hair days). It's found in knowing God and living in eager anticipation of His return. "Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13).

My friend's mom asked me what I had been up to (it had been years since I'd last seen her). I told her that I was just enjoying being a sister, friend, daughter, auntie, and employee. We have so many roles, and we seem to pick up more as life goes on! God give us single people the grace to keep pressing on, serving You and others with real love & joy (it can only come from You), and just enjoying life while You do give it!

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them."

Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgement, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Ecclesiates 12:1, 6, 13-14