Reflections

Hello Friends!



I, too, went to the Focus on Marriage event and have been in the Esther Bible study, so it is a blessing to me to hear reactions/feedback from some of you concerning those "items".



I think that the most interesting, hit-me-in-the-face lesson from Esther was the one about how mean the world we live in is. Think about it. We are constantly faced with the mentality that we should look out for ourselves and push to get ahead---even if that includes pushing other people around. No wonder it's a mean world! I am not immune to its message. How remarkable that our God knew this---before time began---and has always, in His word, instructed us to live in love and to spend ourselves for others. Counter-culture? Absolutely!



There was so much to learn from the Focus on Marriage event. I have a special place in my heart for the day, because Verlan & I, along with 5 fantastic couples, were on the planning team. We prayed a lot for that day and what God would do! I appreciated the notes from Trish and Gina---were there others??---what a good reminder of what we were taught! Now I must confess that the instruction that hit me the "hardest" was Gary Smalley's words, "Quit trying to change him!" Girls, I have been married nearly 35 years, and, to this day, I am SURE that if Verlan did things a little differently---a/k/a the way I would do them, he would be much happier!!!

Application #1. After 35 years, you would hope that I would accept that he doesn't want to be me!

Application #2. I honestly feel sorry for him, having to put up with me wanting him to be me!!!!

So, I have a challenge before me. Since I have shared, feel free to hold me accountable and just ask me, when you see me, "Kathy, how's it going? Are you accepting that God created you to be you and Verlan to be Verlan?" I love him. (I just want to tweak a few areas....Ha-ha!)

Everyone: Have a wonderful week! As we watch our earth breathe new life into so many living things, may we, likewise, feel the breath of God renewing us and growing us daily!

In Him,

Kathy A.