Thoughts on being refined

"For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:10

What a month it's been for me. My baby #1 started kindergarten and seems to still be transitioning smoothly. Thank you for all of your prayers. While we were on vacation on South Padre Island, he said more than once that he was looking forward to seeing his friends from school again.

Our vacation on SPI turned into a 4 day rain fest and then ended with Rich's being the unfortunate recipient of food poisoning. Watching it happen to someone was enough for me. I'm thankful that it wasn't a bug so that I could get us the heck out of that place last Saturday. That was a part of Texas that neither of us was fond of. On part of the drive we passed through Refugio. I told Rich it should be renamed "Refusio," like "Refuse." There ain't nothing there, or in the entirety of what is referred to as The Valley. A very deceiving label, indeed.

On our way home we were stopped at a check point. I chuckled and said to Rich, who was hanging on by a thread, that we were about to see some of our govenment employees at their finest. And they didn't disappoint. I rolled down my window, and the immigrant employee who was packing serious heat said to me, "Are you citizens?" And then he proceeded to stick his head in the window and eye my children with authoritarian suspicion. "Oh, please," said I to myself. "Yes, sir. We're citizens." And I hit my window button as quickly as I could so that the important man wouldn't hear my snicker. My husband, who reserves his coy humor for the best scenarios, said, "You should have asked him, 'Citizens of what?' 'Mehico?'" Oh, well. It was pointless, and our little joke about the lack of seriousness that seems to be the security of our borders. Sleep well, my friends. Because if you say "yes" to the question, you're in.

I've also lost a friend this past month due to circumstances beyond my control. That's the hard part for me; beyond my control. I have prayed, given advice, tried to be a good listener. And, Mom, if you're concerned about who will read this, don't be. She has cut me out of her life. I saw that she even removed herself as a follower of this little blog. She missed nothing. I have been so enlightened during our current Sunday school class concerning Jesus being what SHOULD unite us as Christians. But sadly, we don't operate that way. We compare, and nitpick, and back stab, and look down our own noses at those who aren't like us. Jesus came to heal the sick. He hung out with prostitutes, and lepers, and tax collectors; bottom feeders. But for those who trusted in Him for their very breath, they were the richest of all. They could see beyond the struggles of this life when they encountered Jesus. They stopped running for an earthly reward and instead set their eyes on their eternal reward.

Sadly for this friend, our loving Jesus isn't enough to keep us friends. I know that she is hurting, and I am sorry for that. I wish that I could fix it. That's one of my flaws; I want everything to be okay. What, if anything, could or should I have done differently? I may never know; until this friend comes back to us. I hope that she can find a church family where she is loved and content.

I know that I have. And I am so thankful for these people every day. Being a part of this church has changed me in many ways. And it's all due to God's work in me through His people who have shown love to my family in countless ways. What a picture of Heaven.