I haven't written anything for quite awhile. Well, to be honest I haven't been very consistent with this blog at all. I look at the writing of some of my favorite blog authors (Rachel, Beard, and Andrea) and sometimes feel what I have to say is insignificant. Instead of writing about baking, cooking or some other hobby I think others might enjoy I am choosing to write post that will chronicle where I am currently at in life so that I might one day look back and praise God for how He has molded and shaped me.
The last 6-9 months have been interesting. Last year I met a man, fell in love, gained a bunch of weight or what I liked to refer to as Relationship Fat, found out the guy wasn't being completely honest with me (details aren't important other than I took the high road and chose not to be awful to him), and broke up with him. In the meantime I started a search for a new roommate. My requirements for a housemate aren't overly strict just a nice, Christian girl who will love my sweet pup and stick around for a year or so. Well, heck you would think I would have an easier time find a roommate than a boyfriend.
After talking with all my friends you know what I heard more often than not,
"Gosh Amber! You know everyone I know is married. I'll ask my husband. I think you might be the ONLY single person I know. Yep, YOU are the only single person I know. Good luck!"
Wow. so love life down in flames, and roommate-less, I decided to turn to my church. A bundle of raw nerves I sat in church, week after week feeling sorry for myself. I love my church but goodness, not a single person in my age range in sight. I started to feel more alone. My alone-ness turned to a miserable wallowing self pity. At the urging of a childhood friend I joined the local gym and began working out after work each night. Yup, me. I was working out! I started to feel a bit better about myself and when I would get home at night I would read a few verses before calling it a night.
While on break at work one day I grabbed a yellow legal pad and starting scribbling down all the verses I could recall referencing God's will for your life. I came up with over 50 and that was only after a few minutes! The next day I was bored. I decided to dig around on my mom's bookshelf for a good read. After perusing for a few minutes I came across an old favorite "The Hiding Place" I absolutely adore the author Corrie Ten Boom. I strongly encourage for you to pick up any of the books written by this amazing, strong, moral and loving woman. Near the end of the book Corrie and her sister Betsy were transferred to a Concentration camp it which their new barracks were flea infested. Corrie's ever positive sister immediately encouraged her to be thankful for all things, to praise God in that moment....to be thankful for the fleas!!! Betsy read 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to Corie "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Shortly after the sisters praised our Lord for those terrible fleas it became apparent what a blessing the fleas were, the guards refused to enter the flea riddled barracks allowing the sisters to conduct church services, rest and excluded them from beatings that other prisoners couldn't escape. What an inspiring slap in the face this was to me! If these women could genuinely praise God and give thanks for their situation then, by golly, so would I. Singledom is my fleas. Is a blessing! A gift! I am now involved with Children of the Nations, a wonderful organization that provides care to orphaned children worldwide, I am meeting with my pastor on Thursday to pray over the creation of a Young Singles Group at church, and I am looking to start helping with the High School youth ministry at church. God is Great!
The last 6-9 months have been interesting. Last year I met a man, fell in love, gained a bunch of weight or what I liked to refer to as Relationship Fat, found out the guy wasn't being completely honest with me (details aren't important other than I took the high road and chose not to be awful to him), and broke up with him. In the meantime I started a search for a new roommate. My requirements for a housemate aren't overly strict just a nice, Christian girl who will love my sweet pup and stick around for a year or so. Well, heck you would think I would have an easier time find a roommate than a boyfriend.
After talking with all my friends you know what I heard more often than not,
"Gosh Amber! You know everyone I know is married. I'll ask my husband. I think you might be the ONLY single person I know. Yep, YOU are the only single person I know. Good luck!"
Wow. so love life down in flames, and roommate-less, I decided to turn to my church. A bundle of raw nerves I sat in church, week after week feeling sorry for myself. I love my church but goodness, not a single person in my age range in sight. I started to feel more alone. My alone-ness turned to a miserable wallowing self pity. At the urging of a childhood friend I joined the local gym and began working out after work each night. Yup, me. I was working out! I started to feel a bit better about myself and when I would get home at night I would read a few verses before calling it a night.
While on break at work one day I grabbed a yellow legal pad and starting scribbling down all the verses I could recall referencing God's will for your life. I came up with over 50 and that was only after a few minutes! The next day I was bored. I decided to dig around on my mom's bookshelf for a good read. After perusing for a few minutes I came across an old favorite "The Hiding Place" I absolutely adore the author Corrie Ten Boom. I strongly encourage for you to pick up any of the books written by this amazing, strong, moral and loving woman. Near the end of the book Corrie and her sister Betsy were transferred to a Concentration camp it which their new barracks were flea infested. Corrie's ever positive sister immediately encouraged her to be thankful for all things, to praise God in that moment....to be thankful for the fleas!!! Betsy read 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to Corie "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Shortly after the sisters praised our Lord for those terrible fleas it became apparent what a blessing the fleas were, the guards refused to enter the flea riddled barracks allowing the sisters to conduct church services, rest and excluded them from beatings that other prisoners couldn't escape. What an inspiring slap in the face this was to me! If these women could genuinely praise God and give thanks for their situation then, by golly, so would I. Singledom is my fleas. Is a blessing! A gift! I am now involved with Children of the Nations, a wonderful organization that provides care to orphaned children worldwide, I am meeting with my pastor on Thursday to pray over the creation of a Young Singles Group at church, and I am looking to start helping with the High School youth ministry at church. God is Great!
