Sweet Southern Belle

I had a conversation with someone last night about faith. This person questioned my faith and my relationship with God because my beliefs were different than their beliefs, which is something I try not to do. I am not able to judge someone else’s relationship with God. I leave that to God. I personally believe God can not be folded and put neatly into the small box that is comfortable to most of us. During the conversation I was questioned about my “absolutes”. I have several but this one keeps coming to my heart so I’m choosing to share.

My friend, Beth, said it best on her facebook status a few weeks back. God loves everyone, no exceptions! God loves thieves, honest persons, hard workers, bums, whores, nuns, terrorists, noble peace prize winners, abusers, social workers, televangelists, nurses, abortion doctors, pediatricians, cheaters, preachers, liars, teachers, heterosexuals, homosexuals, republicans, democrats, independents, Protestants, Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, and Atheists. This is not of course an exclusive list, but you get the point. God loves everyone on this earth. He loves all of his precious creation, without exception. That truth I am as sure of as I am that the sun will rise each morning. For all of human kind has fallen short of the glory of God. God loves us because God created us and God loves us in spite of us! And, God calls us to love everyone, especially those who we find “hard” to love. We are to love those people whose values do not line up with our own and those who question our values. We are to love them and treat them with respect even when it’s hard to do.  We are to do so because God first loves us.

Happy Earth Day (April 22)! If you’ve read my blog at all before you know that I have deep convictions about the way I treat the planet I’m allowed to live on. On this day and every day I encourage you to take the time to care for the earth. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. We can not enjoy the beauty of God’s creation if we destroy the creation.

I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that I’m thirty years old! However, I can’t help but feel anything but gratitude. When I was 22 years old I was told I had a large tumor on a vital organ and may need surgery to remove the tumor. I was told the surgery had only a 60 % survival rate and that without the surgery I would not eat solid food again. That diagnosis was hard and painful and still creates fear as I type this post.  However, on this day I stand healthier, stronger and more at peace than every before. I do not pretend to understand all of the ways of God or why God chose to allow me to overcome such a struggle, yet on this day I am grateful to be alive and healthy.

My twenties have been busy! I graduated college with Bachelors degree, got married, begun a career, became a mother, graduated from graduate school with a Master’s degree, said goodbye to some wonderful friends, and made some lifelong friends. I’ve had two skin cancers removed, became a better steward of the earth, struggled with anxiety, and grown a passion for being healthy. I have less “absolutes” in life than every before yet I have a stronger faith in God’s presence and grace in my life than ever before.

I begin my thirties a few pounds heavier,with a few more wrinkles and gray hairs but also with some wisdom that comes with life experience. I’m thankful that God is not finished with me yet and I look forward to what my future holds.

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I am very lucky to have many great friends. I’ve been blessed with wonderful friends throughout my life and in each new phase that life sends my way. When I had Lizzie Sue three and a half years ago Lance and I made the decision that I would stay at home to care for her. That decision was the best for my family and I would not change it for the world. However, being at home came with its own challenges. One of those challenges was being lonely. Particularly when Lizzie Sue was a baby and slept most of the day, I was lonely. I missed the interaction that I had with friends at work and while I had plenty to keep me busy ( I was in grad school at the time) I missed adult conversation. I felt this way until one day I found a conversation board called Moms at home. This board was made up of women who were “at home” with their children. Many of these women actually worked part time (like I do) but for the most part they were home during the day. The women on this board were from all over the country and from different walks of life, yet were brought together by a common thread. I was able to log on several times a day and to know that other women were in the same “boat” as me. I learned so much about parenting and life from these women. Many of them challenged me and helped me to be a better wife, mother and friend. As the months and years past many of these women became my “real” friends. I felt as close to them as I did my friends in “real” life. Many of the members of the board have met over the years at various times and places when life would allow but until this week I never had the opportunity to meet anyone in person.

On Tuesday I was lucky enough to meet a person whom I consider one of my best friends. I “met” Amanda on the moms at home board years ago and our friendship has changed over the years. It has gone from casual conversation to true friendship. Amanda is a good friend who challenges and inspires me to acknowledge that my body and this earth are precious gifts from God and to treat them as such. It was a joy to spend the day with Amanda and her family and I look forward to the next time we are able to get together. I am truly thankful that because of social networking it is possible for me to continue old friendships and to make new friendships with people whom I may not have known otherwise.