First of all, homework? Yes, I'm back at it. I'm currently preparing for my Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification. I have a 3 stage plan to updating my skills and should be done by August 2013.
As for the blog title - I've been a little humbled lately. Sometimes I forget that others have a history that goes on long before I came on the scene, and before you think I'm that arrogant, hear me out :) I go to a Bible study that started in March 2010, I started attending in August 2010, so I have been there for most of the duration and have fully immersed myself in the community itself. This Bible study is made up of young adults from the United Reformed Church (URC) and we have begun to see a lot of people from other reformed churches as well (Free Reformed = FRC, Canadian Reformed = CanRef, Christian Reformed = CRC and Orthodox Presbyterian = OPC).
To me I sometimes fail to realize the depth of community that these churches have. For the most part, these are people who not only grew up together in church, school and catechism, but their parents and their parents' parents did also. The heritage of many of these families is remarkable and the reality that a lot of my new friends have known each other (or known OF each other) for most of their lives is something that is both wonderful and also hard for me to grasp. Sometimes I forget and think that we are all just getting to know each other, but then I stumble across photos on blogs dating from 2008 and see people in pictures together that I didn't even realize knew each other! I guess when you're part of such a big community you really do know more people than you can establish long-lasting and deep relationships with.
This is hard for me to fathom because while I am not good at maintaining so many friendships at a deep level, it doesn't stop me from trying. I long for the day when I can have a house full of children and their friends and to have family reunions that require renting a community centre or fellowship hall - and to know everyone by name, birthday and anniversary. These are things I do for my friends and I long to do within a large family. I'm single of course, so we'll see...I suppose I should work on keeping up with those God has placed in my life right now, instead of always looking ahead.
It's just that sometimes I'm humbled and/or saddened by people's indifference to the rich heritage that they are a part of. Do you realize how amazing it is that you are surrounded by like-minded Christians? That you have a huge community within your families and church bodies? Do you know the power of God's promise to his children when he spoke of blessing them (and that you are reaping those benefits)...
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,
I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed
That night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”
This isn't meant to make others feel bad for not recognizing their blessings, for I myself fail miserably and often forget the blessings God has bestowed on me. This is a cry out that people will recognize the blessings and be joyful. This is also a post that makes me humble when I realize that I have missed out on some of the awesome memories that my friends have had growing up: young people's conferences, Tamarack, Campfire!, catechism classes, school trips, etc. All that to say - perhaps this blog needs to serve as a reminder as a blessing for all that God has done for me over the years, instead of lamenting those things that I missed, I must be grateful for where He has led me and where He continues to lead.
Suffice it to say, I am humbled.
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