Status

I'm not even sure how to write this one. I've been noticing lately a lot of things having to do with "status". I've seen so many people lately wrapping themselves up into a status symbol. Where does their identity lie? Where does your identify lie?

I don't know what it is, but when I see someone focus so much on what they have or don't have or what they got to impress others, I just don't know what to say or think. I had a lady walk into work the other day (I work at a clothing store) and she walks in with her coffee "to go" cup from the nearby coffee shop. First of all, you are in a clothing store...how are you going to shop with a drink in your hand, and not only that, how do expect us to react when we see a drink in your hand and you are going to go through all our clothes and NOT spill? Really?

So I cringe at those things first. But then I thought...why is this person doing this? Could they really NOT sit at the coffee shop and drink the coffee? Or was in more that they wanted to walk in to a place full of people so that all could see that you have coffee. And not only that...what is it about coffee shops that are so "status symbol" related? And sure enough...this lady waved this coffee cup around like no ones business. She made it know they went to get the coffee shop and she kept the mug right in our faces too. We get it, you drink coffee, so? I drink H2O! I know I shouldn't care or I shouldn't JUDGE.

But I feel like this has been at the for-front of a lot of things to me lately. And what is it that, you God, are showing me through this? Is it more the fact that I don't want to be that person. That I don't want to be the person that finds their identity in an object, a status symbol? Or are you trying to show me how to love these people, and have them see what true identity in Christ is? That these people don't have to wrap themselves into a status of what people think of them because you go to coffee shops, or you have the latest of technology, or the newest car, or the executive corporate job, or whatever it might be; but more so that you can wrap yourself into the love of Jesus Christ and HE doesn't look at where you go, what you have, or how you use it, but more so how you treat people, love people, and can help and encourage people. Where is your status? Are you more focus on what others think of you or what God thinks of you? Where is my status? I sure hope my status is wrapped up in Jesus Christ and doing my best for him. Sure, I mess up, EVERY day, but I try my hardest do love on people and just help them. Lord Jesus, I just want my identity to be in YOU, no one else, no place, no object, nothing...Just you! Please help me daily to see that I keep focused on you and not on other things. How do I look past these thing and not let these people or things that I see bother me? Lord Jesus, help me to love on these things and not judge either. I don't want to look at a person because I'm feeling a "status" thing coming out from them. Again, who am I to judge. Help me to look past that Lord.

Never done learning

I know, I know...it's been like 6 months since I've written. And believe me, nothing shy of God not moving or working in my life. I have no excuses...

I really thought about it the other day and really am upset with myself that I have documented all that God has been doing and things I've been learning. So that brings me back to this! :)

On the 6 months note...we've now been in the Northwoods for over 6 months, actually it will be 7 on Oct. 31st that we drove away from all my husband and I knew together. That is where we met, where we grew together, were we started our life together, where we went to school, where I had my dream job (yes, i still believe that is what it is/was), had amazing friends, a wonderful church family...and the list could go on and on.

It's hard to believe that it's been that long since we drove away from that place. I honestly feel like it was just last week that we pulled into our driveway at our new place with the Uhaul and I walked into the doors of our new "home" and I saw an empty, SMALL house ready to be filled (to the brim).
And here we are, almost 7 months later, and I see how much God has changed me. I feel so blessed to be where I am at. Not just physically in the Northwoods, as that is also true, but so blessed for how God has worked in my life for the past 7 months.

Needless to say, I have countless ways that God has showed me things and blessed me. He has changed my heart to really appreciate where I am at and what He is doing in our lives. I have grown to love the Northwoods, the weather (well, I haven't gone through a winter here yet, so we'll see), the people, the lifestyle, and our relationship with each other (my hubby and I AND how God and I are as well). I feel like my relationship with God took a different, new level. I can't even explain how it happened or how it has felt or what it feels like now. My relationship with my husband has grown and that is completely from God as well. All we have had was each other, and God used that to really lean on each other and on God. I had nothing when we first move here, no friends, no family, no job...all I had was time with God, time in general, and time with my hubby. It was hard for me to RELAX in that, but I did. And I am thankful I had that time. I wasn't at first, but I am thankful I had that. There are times when I actually wish I had that back! And I knew I'd feel that way and that is why 6 months ago, in my last post, God kept tell me "enjoy this time"...I was, but now i wish I could again. I know He was telling me and I knew that sometime down the road I'd be wishing for that time back...and here I am, wishing for that time back!
But you know...I know where God has me know and I am thankful for what I am doing. I am thankful for what He is showing me and teaching me through where I am at now in life. And I know that will always be the case! I just need to learn that God is always in control, we aren't!

I'm still learning...and God is sure showing me more...