It has definitely been a while since I last updated my blog page. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was still getting page visits! In this holiday season, I am reminded of food, good company, love, hope, joy, and of course, the birth of Jesus Christ. But I am also once again reminded of the meaning and importance of family and friendship.
I was able to spend a few days in the mountains with our college ministry for our 2014 Winter Retreat. I always had the mentality that if we are not doing well in our relationship with God, we shouldn't be okay. We should be bothered by it. And I do think it is important for us to continuously make a conscious effort to get to a better place with God. But through other brothers and sisters in Christ, I was reminded that God knows our hearts and He doesn't expect us to be perfect all the time. He knows we make mistakes and He knows exactly where we are and how we are doing. I was reminded that no matter how far we may stray, God is always there, ready and holding out His hand to us. It's okay to not be okay. In the end, I think that God uses this to mold us and help us grow in our faith.
This retreat, for me personally, was not ALL about taking huge strides and steps in faith. Although I did learn more about our Heavenly Father and was blessed by all that I heard, this retreat was more about building relationships and having wonderful fellowship with other believers. It was about vulnerability and learning to go on this journey of faith with others. Accountability, trust, faith, vulnerability... We are not alone in this journey. God established church and provided us with church friends so that we may endure it together. We are truly all in this together...
Family... They say, "You can't always choose your family..." and some stay true to this. But I truly believe that God placed each person in our families for a reason. Yes, we may not understand it at the time or understand why our family members do what they do. And that is true honesty. I am guilty of judging and being annoyed at family members also, as much as I don't want to admit it. But just like friends, as family we are there to grow together in Christ and be uplifting and encouraging to one another. We are there to be understanding, patient, and loving to one another. God has a special purpose for each person in our families and we need to be thankful for each and every one of them. It can be challenging...it really can. But I hope that in this new year, I will be able to show each of my family members the love, care, and warmth God has shown me throughout my whole life. The love and happiness from family is something that cannot be found anywhere else in this world and it cannot be replaced with any materialistic things. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
I was able to spend a few days in the mountains with our college ministry for our 2014 Winter Retreat. I always had the mentality that if we are not doing well in our relationship with God, we shouldn't be okay. We should be bothered by it. And I do think it is important for us to continuously make a conscious effort to get to a better place with God. But through other brothers and sisters in Christ, I was reminded that God knows our hearts and He doesn't expect us to be perfect all the time. He knows we make mistakes and He knows exactly where we are and how we are doing. I was reminded that no matter how far we may stray, God is always there, ready and holding out His hand to us. It's okay to not be okay. In the end, I think that God uses this to mold us and help us grow in our faith.
This retreat, for me personally, was not ALL about taking huge strides and steps in faith. Although I did learn more about our Heavenly Father and was blessed by all that I heard, this retreat was more about building relationships and having wonderful fellowship with other believers. It was about vulnerability and learning to go on this journey of faith with others. Accountability, trust, faith, vulnerability... We are not alone in this journey. God established church and provided us with church friends so that we may endure it together. We are truly all in this together...
Family... They say, "You can't always choose your family..." and some stay true to this. But I truly believe that God placed each person in our families for a reason. Yes, we may not understand it at the time or understand why our family members do what they do. And that is true honesty. I am guilty of judging and being annoyed at family members also, as much as I don't want to admit it. But just like friends, as family we are there to grow together in Christ and be uplifting and encouraging to one another. We are there to be understanding, patient, and loving to one another. God has a special purpose for each person in our families and we need to be thankful for each and every one of them. It can be challenging...it really can. But I hope that in this new year, I will be able to show each of my family members the love, care, and warmth God has shown me throughout my whole life. The love and happiness from family is something that cannot be found anywhere else in this world and it cannot be replaced with any materialistic things. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
May this new year be filled with more of God's love!
Blessings,
Bri
Blessings,
Bri