Faith and Comfort Zones

The question was posed about if we believe that walking by faith requires us to step out of our comfort zone. While I can see exactly why and how people are 100% believing this is true, I can't help but think that if we are truly seeking to live and walk according to God's will that our comfort zone will be where God tells us to go and what God tells us to do. Is it so far-fetched to believe that we could come to a place where we are so accustomed to knowing that everything that God directs is going to accomplish what He has intended for it, in spite of our decisions that may "mess" it up? 

Society absolutely believes that it's ludicrous to think so, but what do we say as the "church"? If we really stop and evaluate our belief do we think it's lunacy or do we realize that it's completely normal? If we are striving to live for God the best way we know how wouldn't it be second nature (inadvertent), just like breathing in and breathing out, for us to never really question when things occur in our lives and we realize (whether in the moment or after) that we moved in faith? 

What opportunities do we have to grow in our relationship with God before it becomes second nature and our comfort zone is simply following God? 

Winds of change

Too long I've left this blog unattended. I feel it in my spirit and know it in my mind. I have not completely neglected my journaling though it did take a sabbatical of sorts.

So what can I tell you? Well the theme over the last year has been change. With change comes flexibility for certain but it's a delicate balance to bend and not break. The lives of the Big Dawg and I changed radically when we determined to sell our house. It's true that any type of selling and buying a home is challenging at the least. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love spending time looking at houses. There's something deep in me that sometimes looks to steal decorating ideas or organizational tips.
Be honest, you know you've done it.
So we put the house out there with a fantastic team of realtors and were given a list of items we needed to have done before it could actually go on the market. There's enough that happened getting that done to write many posts. So we began all that and had someone who was interested and put an offer before we were finished with our list. We hot-footed it then to find somewhere to live. We found the perfect place and made an offer that was accepted. We now worked to complete our list and begin the process of packing and purging; all the while thinking we are good to close on both houses on time.
Remember I said we must be flexible during change? We had a lesson that honestly I think we could have done without. Twenty days out from closing the man who had an offer on our house changed jobs, thus rendering him unqualified for a mortgage. When it was all said and done, we technically sold our house three times in thirty days. The second backed out when she, as a single lady decided she's not really ready for home ownership. The third one stuck and we were thrilled. In the end, God had all the timing worked out just as He always does.
The winds of change haven't completely left us just yet, I can feel it, but I dare say for the moment some of the biggest changes are behind us until a new adventure pops up. As has been said, Life is not about the destination but the journey. Too often I think we get too focused on our destinations and forget to enjoy the journey we're on. Take a moment and evaluate your landscape, when was the last time you enjoyed the journey?

Friends

I often wonder about some of the funny things in this life. For instance, what on Earth led me to be friends with some of the best people on the planet? I sometimes am in awe at some of the beautiful people who grace and enrich my life. God has absolutely blessed me in abundance with good friends. Equally I find it interesting how people who aren't yet close friends will move themselves to where they have me close to them. The human persona and psyche do continually fascinate me.

Some of my most favorite and talented friends keep my life far from dull.

Renee-chop, Sock Monkey & Mommie2Five keep me grounded and humble and make me laugh when I need it. They are the first ones to volunteer to stand up for me when I can't myself, beside me when I can and in front of me when I need to calm down. We have laughed together, cried together, hurt together, played together, loved together and prayed through some mess together. I love you girls so much for the friendships we get to have.

Mrs. South Carolina is the rarest and dare I say most needed type of friend. She shares her strength when I am at my lowest and will let me just be. Sure we can be so absorbed in one another that we take up all the space in the room but just as easily we can sit side by side for hours and never need to speak. There's a silent language spoken between us and that can be enough. You've seen me at one of my lowest and darkest hours and you loved me through it. I love your happy-go-lucky "bring it on" attitude.

The Commanders constantly entertain my life. Your humor and encouragement mean more than I say. The road trips, camp outs, holidays, video games, meals and crazy days have kept me on my toes. Your friendships are more like family and I selfishly don't ever want to be without them.

I absolutely cannot leave out the one person to whom I have given my heart. Your love overwhelms me and I do not deserve it. You have loved me when I was unlovable, walked with me through pain and sorrow, put me in check when I got too big for my own good and made me laugh at your dry humor. You're my Kleenex when I'm sad and my sunshine when I'm grey. Thank you for loving me and my crazy brain.

The Songstress & her Trouble-making husband bless my life with wonderful music and a wicked sense of humor. Some of the best practical jokes I've ever encountered-- both from a distance and as a recipient have come from you. I am blessed by your child-like faith and your profound wisdom more than I tell you, forgive me for not telling you more often. Thank you for your openness and your joy, it's contagious. Your humor keeps my heart light and happy, your perspective on things both funny and serious is a gift. Never feel inadequate.

The curmudgeonly "old" man with the sweetest wife ever is definitely someone who has helped enrich my life. From our initial uncertainty about ever beginning to be able to get along to the required, and ever missed, hugs each time we visit. My how far we have come! You have given me an outlet when I was frustrated and challenged me to be better at every turn. For this I am a better person than I used to be and the laughter we have shared around the dinner table is some of my favorite times.

And I would be hard pressed to forget the Ya-ya's! You girls are such a delight! You are the friends with whom there are no limits to our lives. We've spent some time laughing and some time crying, but we've had some incredible times of prayer and praise. We've decorated, re-decorated, hunted graves, yelled at sports, shopped, road-tripped and so much more. The memories are priceless and so vast that I am so glad to able to cherish them.

There are SO many more that I could list and the spice and flavor that you each bring to my life keeps me living life to it's fullest.

I truly have been blessed by some amazing people who love me and I in turn them. You provide me simple things through your unbelievable talents (Jewelers, Artists, Singers, Scrapbookers, Photographers, etc. You know who you are) and I never take them for granted but it is your depth of care and love for me and my life that I hold dearest. I hope each and every one of you knows how much I count it a privilege to call you friend.