To be honest, I've been considering writing this for a couple weeks now and I haven't due to the fear I have of giving someone the wrong impression...mainly to my family and close friends. But thanks to a good friend, (ahem...Katie Ellwood..) I think it would be a good thing to share.
I started this blog last year with the intent to speak my mind, emotions, feelings, all of those things. Well, it's a new year... A new start, and I want to make the most of this blog.
As most of you who read this know, I grew up in the church. Not literally. But I have spent a good chunk of my life in a church.
When I was a kid, I was at church Sunday morning for Sunday School, stuck around for Sunday AM service, Sunday PM service, Wednesday night youth group, and Friday night revival meetings. All of those sprinkled with the occassional prayer meeting, bible study, or youth event.
Whew.
I should add here that I am in no way bitter about being raised like I was. I think that it was great having been raised around some amazing Christian folks. I'm grateful for the friendships, mentors, and lessons that I acquired when I was growing up.
But, I think that regardless if you were "raised in the church" like me or not, I think that everyone at some point steps back and re-evaluates why they believe that they believe...why they do what they do...what drives them....
And for me, that didn't come until recently.
It wasn't a cynical or bitter self-evaluation at all. On the contrary, I needed to step back and look at what it all was for.
Did I have purpose?
Did I feel like my life was meaningful and intentional?
What was I living for? Myself? Others? Both?
Fast forward to 2010.
2010 was really a crazy, exciting, unbelievable year.
And honestly, 2010 was the year that I missed the most church that I have in my whole life.
I don't say this to brag at all. I'm not really proud of it...that's just how it was.
But, I really believe that 2010 taught me more about the heart of God than I think I'd ever known before. Again, not something I'm necessarily proud of...that's just how it was for me personally.
Of these things, I've learned that I don't think God is about full sanctuaries or huge shows or massive productions. And honestly, I've thought up until the last couple years, that the bigger the church event..the fuller the sanctuary..the closer God was.
Ignorance at its finest.
For the record, I don't think those are bad. I think that sometimes those are great tools to show people a glimpse of hope and salvation....
But this year has really taught me that God's heart isn't really about those things.
It's about the widows, the orphans, those that feel alone, slaves, the broken, the hurting, those that need someone to listen..to hear, those that need hope.
And those are the things that I want my heart to be about.
I know that I am not alone in this. That's the beauty of hope.
I want to conclude this (fearfully composed) blog with a verse that meant alot to me this year..
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
And that, is one of my New Year's Resolutions for 2011.
How about you? What are you wanting to focus on this year?
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Some Reflection Time and Appreciation on the Happenings of 2010
These past few days, I've been thinking alot about this year. About things that I was able to experience, opportunities I've had, and I think most of all,
I've been thinking about all the people I've been able to meet and get to know.
(This blog is probably going to come across as pretty cliche and sappy, so just a heads up...you can't say I didn't warn you)
A few days ago, I saw that a friend of mine had added a new application to his Facebook page. A "year of stats" persay. Anyways, this application shuffles through the status updates you've posted on your page this year and puts them all on a single format. I, of course, jumped on that Facebook bandwagon and was a little more emotional that I was expecting when I read what had been accumulated from my status updates this year.
My guitar (new guitar!) was brought up a few times, a lot of things about riding, or fund-raising, or quotes that meant alot this year. But reading through these attached people to each one in my mind.
I may embarrass a few on here, but I'd really like to recognize some folks on here for the (maybe unknowingly) impact they've had on my life this year....
Josh Iniguez and "Iron" Mike Barrow-This year started out with so much fear and intimidation on if I could come anywhere close to being a part of this thing called the Ride:Well Bike Tour. I was seriously scared out of my mind. But you 2 never let my fear conquer me completely. The encouragment I received from you 2 in preparation for this summer is something I am so, so, so thankful for. You 2 are some main reasons why I was able to get over my personal fears, and do something that I'd NEVER thought I'd have the opportunity to do. So guys, thank you.
John and Joey Wirmel-When I received a check in the mail from you guys for my Ride:Well fundraising, I had NO idea the sacrifice you all would be making for that experience. I'm pretty sure I was crying when I saw what you all had sent. That meant so much to me knowing that you all were about to extend your family with a new baby. I was overwhelmed with the gratitude of knowing that you all had so much faith in me, in this cause, and in the belief that I could be a part of something so huge. So John and BFF, thank you.
Rachel McQuitty-Before I started fundraising for Ride:Well, we didn't know each other from the next person, but you have been such a ray of light. You, in your awesome-ness were all on board with helping me meet my goal to be a part of Ride:Well. Your excitment about the whole experience with Blood:Water meant more than you may realize, but it was a continuous encouragement. So, gal, thank you.
My Ride:Well Team-You all are honestly 16 of the most amazing people I've ever met in my life. Your support, encouragement, love, honesty, appreciation, and vulnerability have changed my life for the better. It was a beautiful thing to be on a team with you all and I really, really, REALLY appreciate the time I was able to spend with each of you. "With Everything", Taylor Swift, "Bibbity Bobbity", "Eustice", Iraq, Titanic, and "real life" will always connect me to you. Thank you, guys.
Paul Hurckman and the amazing people at the Oaks-Words can't even come close to describing how grateful I am that I was able to get to meet you all this year. When I first met Paul, I thought "He kinda reminds me of Jesus"...and I don't think that perception has changed much at all. The love for people and your passion for social injustice motivates and inspires me. Thank you all for loving people the way that you do. I hope that I can show people love the way that you all have showed it to me.
Others that I have been able to get to know this year (in no particular order) : Air Review (guys, you're just so awesome! Thanks for letting me hang out at the merch table and hear you all play your hearts out), Life Fellowship folks (thank you for the constant encouragment!), Jessica Bell, everyone at Blood:Water, Katie Ellwood, Criselda Vasquez, The entire Obrey family in Chandler, AZ., Lisa Rudzik(thank you SO much for teaching me everything I know about bikes!), James Trammell, the support system of friends at FNB (thank you, thank you, thank you.), to EACH AND EVERY ONE of you that donated in any capacity towards Ride:Well, I am eternally grateful. You all inspired me to push myself beyond my limits...and if I missed you, please know that I just have some memory loss issues, but you are still very appreciated. :)
THANK YOU for being a part of my 2010 story, and allowing me to be a part of yours. I'm truly grateful.
I've been thinking about all the people I've been able to meet and get to know.
(This blog is probably going to come across as pretty cliche and sappy, so just a heads up...you can't say I didn't warn you)
A few days ago, I saw that a friend of mine had added a new application to his Facebook page. A "year of stats" persay. Anyways, this application shuffles through the status updates you've posted on your page this year and puts them all on a single format. I, of course, jumped on that Facebook bandwagon and was a little more emotional that I was expecting when I read what had been accumulated from my status updates this year.
My guitar (new guitar!) was brought up a few times, a lot of things about riding, or fund-raising, or quotes that meant alot this year. But reading through these attached people to each one in my mind.
I may embarrass a few on here, but I'd really like to recognize some folks on here for the (maybe unknowingly) impact they've had on my life this year....
Josh Iniguez and "Iron" Mike Barrow-This year started out with so much fear and intimidation on if I could come anywhere close to being a part of this thing called the Ride:Well Bike Tour. I was seriously scared out of my mind. But you 2 never let my fear conquer me completely. The encouragment I received from you 2 in preparation for this summer is something I am so, so, so thankful for. You 2 are some main reasons why I was able to get over my personal fears, and do something that I'd NEVER thought I'd have the opportunity to do. So guys, thank you.
John and Joey Wirmel-When I received a check in the mail from you guys for my Ride:Well fundraising, I had NO idea the sacrifice you all would be making for that experience. I'm pretty sure I was crying when I saw what you all had sent. That meant so much to me knowing that you all were about to extend your family with a new baby. I was overwhelmed with the gratitude of knowing that you all had so much faith in me, in this cause, and in the belief that I could be a part of something so huge. So John and BFF, thank you.
Rachel McQuitty-Before I started fundraising for Ride:Well, we didn't know each other from the next person, but you have been such a ray of light. You, in your awesome-ness were all on board with helping me meet my goal to be a part of Ride:Well. Your excitment about the whole experience with Blood:Water meant more than you may realize, but it was a continuous encouragement. So, gal, thank you.
My Ride:Well Team-You all are honestly 16 of the most amazing people I've ever met in my life. Your support, encouragement, love, honesty, appreciation, and vulnerability have changed my life for the better. It was a beautiful thing to be on a team with you all and I really, really, REALLY appreciate the time I was able to spend with each of you. "With Everything", Taylor Swift, "Bibbity Bobbity", "Eustice", Iraq, Titanic, and "real life" will always connect me to you. Thank you, guys.
Paul Hurckman and the amazing people at the Oaks-Words can't even come close to describing how grateful I am that I was able to get to meet you all this year. When I first met Paul, I thought "He kinda reminds me of Jesus"...and I don't think that perception has changed much at all. The love for people and your passion for social injustice motivates and inspires me. Thank you all for loving people the way that you do. I hope that I can show people love the way that you all have showed it to me.
Others that I have been able to get to know this year (in no particular order) : Air Review (guys, you're just so awesome! Thanks for letting me hang out at the merch table and hear you all play your hearts out), Life Fellowship folks (thank you for the constant encouragment!), Jessica Bell, everyone at Blood:Water, Katie Ellwood, Criselda Vasquez, The entire Obrey family in Chandler, AZ., Lisa Rudzik(thank you SO much for teaching me everything I know about bikes!), James Trammell, the support system of friends at FNB (thank you, thank you, thank you.), to EACH AND EVERY ONE of you that donated in any capacity towards Ride:Well, I am eternally grateful. You all inspired me to push myself beyond my limits...and if I missed you, please know that I just have some memory loss issues, but you are still very appreciated. :)
THANK YOU for being a part of my 2010 story, and allowing me to be a part of yours. I'm truly grateful.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Character Flaws and the Necessity of Grace
This past Sunday, Jim and I headed down to the Oaks Fellowship in Red Oak to attend their college age group's event called Second Sunday. The Gat (as this group is called) and the Oaks are some serious supporters of Ride:Well, so they definitely have some love from this gal.
Aaron Smith, the founder of Venture Expeditions spoke about starting the organization, things God has done in the last few years since it's starting, and the sacrifices that came along with putting faith behind what God had called him to do with Venture.
After he spoke, Aaron, the young adults pastor gave a message (which I for one REALLY needed) about Jacob and the character flaws he possessed. About when he wrestled with the angel of God and the angel asked him his name, there were so many negative attachments that came along with it...
Deciever...Liar...and someone who constantly made decisions to put himself first.
Aaron challenged everyone to look at themselves to see what those character flaws were in us. Some were obvious in me.
Fear...Doubt...Cynisism...
But last night, I was faced with one that I hadn't seen as clearly.
Last night I was in my first car accident. I rear-ended a teenage kid who was driving his mom's Chevy Tahoe. For the record, neither one of us were speeding. We were both coming to a stop at a red light. My not-so-tractful tires and a light rain proved to be enough to not let my brakes do their job. We are both OK though.
But one thing that I'm really seeing in myself after-the-fact, is how easy it is for me to extend grace to others, but RARELY ever to myself. I put so much blame on myself while I was standing there in the rain examining the damage waiting for the police officer to come out to examine the damage. Even today, I think I've apologized about 10 times for what happened.
I know, I know...it's an Accident.
But, for some reason, in my heart and my mind, I thought I was maybe exempt? I don't know.
Maybe this happened as a teaching tool of how often I do this to myself. Maybe this is some way of me learning my character flaws so I can change the negative things and become what it is I'm supposed to be instead.
So, here it is...here I am letting some vulnerability take place for a second.
I'm Melissa. I'm afraid of disappointing people. I doubt myself more often than not. I'm cynical about silly things, and I find it easy to give grace to others while denying myself of it.
I'm working on being: Confident in my abilities and talents despite others' opinions. Encouraging and positive about everything (even myself!), and giving myself grace...Grace. Grace. Grace.
How about you? What are some character flaws that you have? What do you want to change to make yourself the person you want to be?
Aaron Smith, the founder of Venture Expeditions spoke about starting the organization, things God has done in the last few years since it's starting, and the sacrifices that came along with putting faith behind what God had called him to do with Venture.
After he spoke, Aaron, the young adults pastor gave a message (which I for one REALLY needed) about Jacob and the character flaws he possessed. About when he wrestled with the angel of God and the angel asked him his name, there were so many negative attachments that came along with it...
Deciever...Liar...and someone who constantly made decisions to put himself first.
Aaron challenged everyone to look at themselves to see what those character flaws were in us. Some were obvious in me.
Fear...Doubt...Cynisism...
But last night, I was faced with one that I hadn't seen as clearly.
Last night I was in my first car accident. I rear-ended a teenage kid who was driving his mom's Chevy Tahoe. For the record, neither one of us were speeding. We were both coming to a stop at a red light. My not-so-tractful tires and a light rain proved to be enough to not let my brakes do their job. We are both OK though.
But one thing that I'm really seeing in myself after-the-fact, is how easy it is for me to extend grace to others, but RARELY ever to myself. I put so much blame on myself while I was standing there in the rain examining the damage waiting for the police officer to come out to examine the damage. Even today, I think I've apologized about 10 times for what happened.
I know, I know...it's an Accident.
But, for some reason, in my heart and my mind, I thought I was maybe exempt? I don't know.
Maybe this happened as a teaching tool of how often I do this to myself. Maybe this is some way of me learning my character flaws so I can change the negative things and become what it is I'm supposed to be instead.
So, here it is...here I am letting some vulnerability take place for a second.
I'm Melissa. I'm afraid of disappointing people. I doubt myself more often than not. I'm cynical about silly things, and I find it easy to give grace to others while denying myself of it.
I'm working on being: Confident in my abilities and talents despite others' opinions. Encouraging and positive about everything (even myself!), and giving myself grace...Grace. Grace. Grace.
How about you? What are some character flaws that you have? What do you want to change to make yourself the person you want to be?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Bracelet-Making 101
These last few weeks, I have been finding myself saying a lot more phrases like "I think I need this"..or "That's definitely something that would be great for me.." and so on and so forth.
To keep it short, I've been making everything about me. A place that I seriously despise being in.
Just within the last couple of days, I've been seriously re-evaluating this attitude. And the reminder I've needed has literally been right on my wrist.
Sheesh...
This summer, during Ride:Well, myself and a few other cyclists stopped at a small, gas station turned convenience store in the middle of nowhere, New Mexico. There was an elderly woman behind the counter accompanied by 2 young girls. I'd assume they were both between 6 and 8 years old. As we were checking out with gatorade, water, and Snickers bars in hand, one of the girls asked if we would want to by a bracelet. Each one was a different color and were made out of yarn. The kind of bracelets young girls have always made (as long as I've been alive at least!). Braided yarn with frayed ends.
Simplicity that took on a new meaning after I asked her what she was selling them to save for.
Her response, "So we can go home."
My heart dropped.
She said that her mom lived in Mississippi, and she was wanting to raise money to see her mom instead of having to live with her grandmother (the elderly woman running the store).
After I bought myself and the other Ride:Well ladies one of these bracelets, her face lit up.
She had raised $8.50 and was on her way to raising the funds to get home.
We all have those moments. Those heart-wrenching, don't-even-realize-the-lesson-being-learned, put life into perspective moments.
I constantly have to remind myself of that moment and of moments like that...
Of that young girl..who just wanted to go home.
My "needs" don't seem so necessary.
I want to make a conscious effort to invest in things that will matter to others...matter to someone other than just myself. I want to appreciate time I have with friends and family. I want to always remember that while I'm complaining about my life that has so many awesome aspects to it, others are just trying to get home.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
What I'm Listening to This Wednesday...Barely!
Whew, well, I barely made this blog in on Wednesday, but I MADE IT.
Even though it's late and it may seem that maybe it's because nothing's been seeping through my speakers worth writing about, that's not it at all.
There has been one artist, that has been playing quite a bit the last several days.
Ladies and Gentleman, may I introduce this week's musician that I'm loving the more and more I hear....
MAURICE DAVIS.
I actually met Maurice about a year and a half ago...probably at one of the most random places ever. It wasn't in a venue or arena. Rather, it was at a nutritional/health/supplement store. Through mutual friends, Maurice had come by to play a few songs for one of the mutual friends, and walked in with guitar case in tow. From there he pulled out a...12. STRING. ACOUSTIC. Right off the bat, I knew this guy was LEGIT.
He played a few songs, but the 2 that I remember the most vividly were "Red Dress" and "Nobody's Fool". And they were both done flawlessly. I think "smooth" may be a good word to describe the way his voice blends with the guitar chords. A co-worker said it best, "he knows exactly what to do with his voice." And an extensive vocal range does nothing but increase the talent this guy has.
These 2 songs (which you need to go and check out as soon as you're done reading this blog) are available on iTunes! The Maurice Davis Band currently has 2 albums on there:
Draw the Curtain and We Are Permanent.
(You can thank me later for introducing you!) :)
Maurice has also currently been posting videos of song covers that friends have requested. All of them have been AMAZING. Here the links for a couple of my favorites (so far!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4-4nZFwDV0 Cover of Water Runs Dry by Boyz II Men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG-9UDCmfj0 Cover of Just Friends by Gavin DeGraw
In addition to being overwhelmingly talented both vocally, and musically in general, Maurice also has taken steps personally to spread news and awareness on behalf of missing and exploited children, even going so far as to write a song titled "Missing Children." Davis has an unbelievable story in his own personal life to justify the desire to spread light on the topic.
Check out Maurice's story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpvkoGrEUZY
As stated earlier, the Maurice Davis Band (http://www.mauricedavisband.com/) has albums for sale on iTunes, Amazon, and Napster. Give them a listen. And let me know what you think!
Maurice Davis is also on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Maurice-Davis-Band/14838882997
and MySpace!:
http://www.myspace.com/mauricedavisband
Be Well and Happy Listening!
Even though it's late and it may seem that maybe it's because nothing's been seeping through my speakers worth writing about, that's not it at all.
There has been one artist, that has been playing quite a bit the last several days.
Ladies and Gentleman, may I introduce this week's musician that I'm loving the more and more I hear....
MAURICE DAVIS.
I actually met Maurice about a year and a half ago...probably at one of the most random places ever. It wasn't in a venue or arena. Rather, it was at a nutritional/health/supplement store. Through mutual friends, Maurice had come by to play a few songs for one of the mutual friends, and walked in with guitar case in tow. From there he pulled out a...12. STRING. ACOUSTIC. Right off the bat, I knew this guy was LEGIT.
He played a few songs, but the 2 that I remember the most vividly were "Red Dress" and "Nobody's Fool". And they were both done flawlessly. I think "smooth" may be a good word to describe the way his voice blends with the guitar chords. A co-worker said it best, "he knows exactly what to do with his voice." And an extensive vocal range does nothing but increase the talent this guy has.
These 2 songs (which you need to go and check out as soon as you're done reading this blog) are available on iTunes! The Maurice Davis Band currently has 2 albums on there:
Draw the Curtain and We Are Permanent.
(You can thank me later for introducing you!) :)
Maurice has also currently been posting videos of song covers that friends have requested. All of them have been AMAZING. Here the links for a couple of my favorites (so far!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4-4nZFwDV0 Cover of Water Runs Dry by Boyz II Men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG-9UDCmfj0 Cover of Just Friends by Gavin DeGraw
In addition to being overwhelmingly talented both vocally, and musically in general, Maurice also has taken steps personally to spread news and awareness on behalf of missing and exploited children, even going so far as to write a song titled "Missing Children." Davis has an unbelievable story in his own personal life to justify the desire to spread light on the topic.
Check out Maurice's story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpvkoGrEUZY
As stated earlier, the Maurice Davis Band (http://www.mauricedavisband.com/) has albums for sale on iTunes, Amazon, and Napster. Give them a listen. And let me know what you think!
Maurice Davis is also on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Maurice-Davis-Band/14838882997
and MySpace!:
http://www.myspace.com/mauricedavisband
Be Well and Happy Listening!
Friday, October 22, 2010
This Friday's Food for Thought...
This week I read the blog on the To Write Love On Her Arms site, and read a beautifully written piece by the founder, Jamie Tworkowski. If you have a chance to go to their page- www.twloha.com- I'd recommend it! Reading the story of their organization really opened my eyes and ears to some things that it's so easy to be ignorant about sometimes. I'm truly grateful for the hope and the stories they share.
But there was one paragraph in this blog that really gripped me. Maybe it just "hit home" for me. Maybe it will for you too. Either way, I wanted to share it regardless.
"Be loved. Be known. Love people and know people. Be so brave as to raise a hand for help when you need it. Make friends and make sure they know they matter. Be loyal to them and fight for them. Remind them what's true and invite them to do the same when you forget. If you do some losing or you walk with someone else in their defeat, live with dignity and grace. It is a middle finger to the darkness."
Be Loved. Sometimes that's the hardest part. But be intentional about it. It'll pay off.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Can Love Be...Conditional?
This morning I had a great conversation with a great friend of mine about life and love and relationships and friendships and things of the like. While we were talking about how those kinds of things change more often than we realize, it got me thinking...
Can Love Be Conditional?
Yesterday, I watched Oprah (which may be the first time I've done that in about a year, maybe a year and a half..), but Tyler Perry was the show's guest yesterday. Perry talked about his childhood which had been tampered by several series of abuse. He had experienced 4 bouts of sexual abuse with both men and women, and the main character of this pain of his childhood was his own father. Tyler sat in this chair across from Oprah with tears in his eyes as he talked about the verbal and physical abuse he'd experienced from his father.
And it really broke my heart.
People who have experienced similar things first-hand have a deep empathy for others that go through these experiences.
But something that stuck out to me was at the end of the show, Oprah asked about how his relationship is with his father now, and he proceeded to say that there wasn't really a relationship there. He had yelled and screamed and told his father how he had hurt him, and "let it go...whatever is was that was there."
He said something that was awesome. He said "Anger is ok. Bitterness is not."
(Here's the link if you'd wanna see this clip for yourself:
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Tyler-Perry-Talks-About-Forgiveness-Video/topic/oprahshow)
I'm not trying to be the Devil's advocate, and this is in no means my way of trying to encourage hate or defeat or divorce. I think that each person individually has their own opinions and perceptions on all those things. So that's not my intention. Not at all.
But I do believe that there are some relationships, friendships, etc. that are only in our lives for a short period of time. Sometimes those things are ended mutually, sometimes not, but I do believe that those situations are a part of our lives for a purpose. I believe sometimes it's to show us a personal strength that we hadn't tapped into before then. Sometimes, it's to teach us how to be broken and seek others out due to heartbreak or loss. Whatever the case, I think that we all encounter every relationship for a reason and sometimes only for a season in our lives.
Biblically, the book of Ecclesiastes talks about there's "a time to love and a time to hate." I do my best to deter from the latter, but are those moments destined to be a part of our lives? How do we handle finding the balance?
When friendships and relationships go awry, does that mean that the love has ended? Does love end? Does hate end?
If love does end, does that mean that hope ends?
Can Love Be Conditional?
Yesterday, I watched Oprah (which may be the first time I've done that in about a year, maybe a year and a half..), but Tyler Perry was the show's guest yesterday. Perry talked about his childhood which had been tampered by several series of abuse. He had experienced 4 bouts of sexual abuse with both men and women, and the main character of this pain of his childhood was his own father. Tyler sat in this chair across from Oprah with tears in his eyes as he talked about the verbal and physical abuse he'd experienced from his father.
And it really broke my heart.
People who have experienced similar things first-hand have a deep empathy for others that go through these experiences.
But something that stuck out to me was at the end of the show, Oprah asked about how his relationship is with his father now, and he proceeded to say that there wasn't really a relationship there. He had yelled and screamed and told his father how he had hurt him, and "let it go...whatever is was that was there."
He said something that was awesome. He said "Anger is ok. Bitterness is not."
(Here's the link if you'd wanna see this clip for yourself:
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Tyler-Perry-Talks-About-Forgiveness-Video/topic/oprahshow)
I'm not trying to be the Devil's advocate, and this is in no means my way of trying to encourage hate or defeat or divorce. I think that each person individually has their own opinions and perceptions on all those things. So that's not my intention. Not at all.
But I do believe that there are some relationships, friendships, etc. that are only in our lives for a short period of time. Sometimes those things are ended mutually, sometimes not, but I do believe that those situations are a part of our lives for a purpose. I believe sometimes it's to show us a personal strength that we hadn't tapped into before then. Sometimes, it's to teach us how to be broken and seek others out due to heartbreak or loss. Whatever the case, I think that we all encounter every relationship for a reason and sometimes only for a season in our lives.
Biblically, the book of Ecclesiastes talks about there's "a time to love and a time to hate." I do my best to deter from the latter, but are those moments destined to be a part of our lives? How do we handle finding the balance?
When friendships and relationships go awry, does that mean that the love has ended? Does love end? Does hate end?
If love does end, does that mean that hope ends?
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