We had our first real discussion tonight at the book study and my mind has a lot to process. I can't say that much got accomplished tonight for me personally but rather that much of what I already know was confirmed. I have to say that tonight also has got me thinking about how incredibly complex we humans are. Even in our group of about 15 people there are so many varying degrees of ideas and experiences. I enjoy that diversity, but I also sometimes wish there was one set answer, one path that everyone knows about. However, I have compiled a short list of statements that I think hold true in life:
1. Healthy communication is key to any relationship
2. If we women want men to be men, we need to expect them to be.
3. Every woman longs to be (and deserves to be) pursued.
4. Understanding of another human being can only really come from taking the time to get to know them
5. People (no matter the gender) will always surprise you
I also think I'm going to start adding a song to each post, something that relates to the post or to the day. Tonight's song is a bit of a joke, but also holds a decent amount of truth
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Men and Me - The Truth (At least for today)
I am leading a book study for the summer with a group of friends. The general purpose of the study is to learn more about the roles God gave to men and women, distinctively. Hopefully, by learning and understanding these roles better, we can have a better idea of how to have healthy, glorifying relationships with one another. And, given the personalities in this particular group, enjoy some healthy debating as well :)
After the first meeting last night, I began processing some of the conclusions I've come to regarding my relationships with the various males in my life. The past year has brought into my world several new male friends. Now, I am accustomed to having more friends with Y-chromosomes than without...it's simply how my personality works. Men, in general, are easier for me to befriend, for whatever reason. But for most of high school I had the same friends and therefore we were all comfortable with one another and knew each others' various quirks and character traits. Most of the people I associate with now, however, are friends I made in the past school year. Coincidentally, about 80% of them are male, a fact which has helped to bring me to the point I am at currently: where is the line drawn between healthy and unhealthy intimacy in a cross-gender friendship?
This is a question I am still learning to answer and hoping that this study will help shed some light on as well. At this stage in my life, being single can sometimes be more challenging than I'd like. However, I am not in a position of desperation by any means - I am content, for the most part, to wait for God's timing. Should He deem that my life would be better spent in marriage one day, His choice of men is far better than mine, I'm sure. But I also know that He may have other plans for me, those that do not include me taking the title of "wife" and are sure to be equally fulfilling. Either way, now is not the time for me to know. So. For the moment I am merely working to ensure that my relationships reflect Him.
I would, for the record, just like to say that this time of waiting wouldn't be nearly as easy if it weren't for the men in my life who have helped to show me what I could possibly be waiting for. God has blessed me with some male friends who are clearly on the road to becoming great men of faith. I know what it is to be respected and honored as a woman, thanks to the wonderful guys I have the pleasure of knowing. To me, that is a pretty amazing gift.
Thank you, boys. You all know who you are.
After the first meeting last night, I began processing some of the conclusions I've come to regarding my relationships with the various males in my life. The past year has brought into my world several new male friends. Now, I am accustomed to having more friends with Y-chromosomes than without...it's simply how my personality works. Men, in general, are easier for me to befriend, for whatever reason. But for most of high school I had the same friends and therefore we were all comfortable with one another and knew each others' various quirks and character traits. Most of the people I associate with now, however, are friends I made in the past school year. Coincidentally, about 80% of them are male, a fact which has helped to bring me to the point I am at currently: where is the line drawn between healthy and unhealthy intimacy in a cross-gender friendship?
This is a question I am still learning to answer and hoping that this study will help shed some light on as well. At this stage in my life, being single can sometimes be more challenging than I'd like. However, I am not in a position of desperation by any means - I am content, for the most part, to wait for God's timing. Should He deem that my life would be better spent in marriage one day, His choice of men is far better than mine, I'm sure. But I also know that He may have other plans for me, those that do not include me taking the title of "wife" and are sure to be equally fulfilling. Either way, now is not the time for me to know. So. For the moment I am merely working to ensure that my relationships reflect Him.
I would, for the record, just like to say that this time of waiting wouldn't be nearly as easy if it weren't for the men in my life who have helped to show me what I could possibly be waiting for. God has blessed me with some male friends who are clearly on the road to becoming great men of faith. I know what it is to be respected and honored as a woman, thanks to the wonderful guys I have the pleasure of knowing. To me, that is a pretty amazing gift.
Thank you, boys. You all know who you are.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Start of a (Hopefully) Beautiful Friendship
I've gone back and forth on this whole blog thing for months now and have finally given in. I haven't a clue where this will take me - or all of you, for that matter. My mind wanders in and around places that I don't even understand. But, perhaps, this blog will help get things a bit more straightened out.
For starters, I'll simply explain the title I chose, though the first two pieces of the list are fairly self-explanatory: my whole life has been dedicated to following Jesus Christ so it follows that a blog about my life will reflect Him in many ways. Second, I will undoubtedly talk about love in various forms by walking through my daily encounters with people. But the third piece may be a bit confusing...In the simplest of terms, the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are pretty much my favorite cleaning supply ever. And, as I'm sure you'll hear plenty about later, my current job title is Student Worker-Housekeeper on the campus of Bethel College. Therefore, I know my stuff.
For starters, I'll simply explain the title I chose, though the first two pieces of the list are fairly self-explanatory: my whole life has been dedicated to following Jesus Christ so it follows that a blog about my life will reflect Him in many ways. Second, I will undoubtedly talk about love in various forms by walking through my daily encounters with people. But the third piece may be a bit confusing...In the simplest of terms, the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are pretty much my favorite cleaning supply ever. And, as I'm sure you'll hear plenty about later, my current job title is Student Worker-Housekeeper on the campus of Bethel College. Therefore, I know my stuff.
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