So, GOD is right there in the middle of it.

There's something new to learn in each and every day - I'm convinced of that. An item that came to my attention at church this weekend was that in those very difficult and uncomfortable circumstances we sometimes find ourselves (I think of constant conflict I have with someone I love), GOD is there. The example in the Bible where this is found is the resurrection of Lazarus. Basically, Jesus had messed around and not come directly back to Martha and Mary when they sent for him and while Jesus was gone, their brother (and Jesus' friend), Lazarus had died. When assessing the situation and feeling empathy for both Martha and Mary and sadness at Lazarus' death, "JESUS WEPT". (Then of course he raised Lazarus from the dead). But the thing that has touched me was that Jesus had a serious emotional experience over everyone's distress and grief.

So, I pretty much had always thought that when my back was against the wall, there was conflict and someone was sarcastic and insulting, or I was experiencing a distressing situation....that I was equipped with the word of GOD to deal with the situation in the most fitting way.....I always tried to deal with it the way I "should" according to the Bible. Being gracious, humble, forgiving, having good boundaries and trying to have a positive attitude. But it was on MY shoulders to take action (or not) and do the right thing, defending myself the best I could. I pretty much suck at it. Guess what - I really never thought about GOD being right there with me, feeling sorrow at my pain and sadness. I guess when faced with those situations in the future, I'll feel better equipped....I don't know - we'll see.

I've called this a "journey"

Ok, so I called my blog a "journey"......and a journey it is, in some ways I hadn't really thought about. I've read some books by Luci Swindoll and marvel about how she talks about "and it came to pass..." stories in the Bible. It's really true, you know. Things "come to pass". Things don't really just happen and stay....they come....and they go. Both the good and the bad things in life come AND go. Good things happen and we enjoy those moments in life like births and weddings. We enjoy and treasure those moments, then life moves on. What kind of car we drive or what shoes we wear are just passing circumstances.....not really significant. Then bad things happen, and we pause, grieve and then that moment passes. We are forever altered by both the good and bad things, but ultimately, even the bad things do pass - eventually.

So, about the journey - people come....and sometimes people go. People are all on their own journey.....sometimes from this life into the next.