I've spent a lot of time in the last week in counseling, class, and life explaining the concept of Matt 22:36-39 and it's more beautiful every time I talk about it.
The concept that we have an eternal life, and in Christ it's been redeemed and turned heavenward, is so beautiful that it SERIOUSLY makes this old world look like a dump.
In the pondering, along with a conversation that I had with Tori on Friday, I've just been thinking about how much I am thankful for the people in my life, that God says relationships are actually COOL and PURPOSEFUL, and that they will have eternal benefits.
So today I've been thinking about all the people in my life with whom I have relationships and I've really been thankful. So here's my list, in NO particular order, just as they come into my mind. These are the people I'm thinking of today, and one reason I'm thankful to have a relationship with them, and can't wait to see the beautiful future we'll have together in heaven loving each other perfectly in glorified bodies!
Jodi - for always being willing to be brave when I was not and then for living out her life and marriage like she really believes the Bible is true
Cyndi - for honoring God with her commitments and growing regardless of her age
Hailey - for teaching me how to be patient over and over again
Tori - for loving God so much and being a woman of integrity in every way
Jenna - for being such a beautiful work of God's art
Heather - for being so innocent in her love for others
Janelle - for being so deep theologically yet so practical and sacrificial
Janice - for never stopping serving others
Debbie - for her listening ear and commitment to God in similar struggles
Shelby - for living up to her name - sweetly blissful
Brian - for helping me to really get my bridesgroom, Jesus
Bobbi - for proving that you can have both emotions and theology
Debby - for waiting for love God's way and then enjoying him once she got him!
Jill - for proving to me that God's word is always better than revenge
Hailey - (I know it's a second one) for putting up with my sense of adventure
Shelby - (ditto) for not letting her tired legs slow us down
Shelly - for doing her second part time unpaid job like it was worth the best salary in the world and for keeping my eyes on the prize
Krystle - for demonstrating the sacrifices she's willing to make for her marriage even when it costs her!
Asthen - for helping me learn how to l-i-s-t-e-n while someone thinks through their words carefully
Donna - for teaching me to be really careful to think before I speak or type
Angie - for her ability to help me see different ways of explaining things
Amy - for showing me how to be sweet and strong at the same time, and also to love with abandon even when you know the timetable's short
Dolores - for loving and submitting as a vivid example for her daughters of how to honor God even when it's really hard
Mary - for commitment even when it's a risk
Nell - for feeling in her prayer, it's pointed out how stoic I am unecessarily
There are many others, but to list them would be too personal, to revealing, so I'm just going to say that there are many others men and women who I feel have made my life more full, more godly, and more stable. I can't imagine what life would be as a non-believer when you'd wonder if you were fulfilling your purpose. It's so cool to know that loving others loves God, and that there will be eternal benefits in heaven mostly seen in the fact that we'll get to enjoy our relationships forever in heaven without the ridiculousness of guilt, alienation, or death!
Kendra, Hailey, Rebecca, Shelby, and one of the VOH girls that attended the open house (Shelby is totally attached to her). Kendra and Rebecca are Miss Teena's daughters and they are like big sisters to the girls.
