If I could turn back time...

So, here's what has been on my mind lately. I know no one (or almost no one) reads this blog, so I'm going to just be honest. Even if it hurts!

I have never before in my life wished I could go back in time and change the past. I have always felt that a person's past shapes who they are today and for better or worse, it's an important part of who we are. I've always believed in living with no regrets, making the best of what you've been given, and finding the good in even the worst situations. But recently, I have been wishing I had a time machine so I could go back in time about 4 years.

There would be decisions that we made (my husband and I) that I would want us to make differently... life-changing decisions! The decisions we made then are still haunting us now. Even when I think maybe we've finally made some good out of all that bad, it comes back to haunt us. I want to know if it will ever stop... can we ever have peace with this again? I know the answer... Of course we can, and that peace will only come from God! And yet, we still wait for it. I think Satan really wants to keep hitting us over the head with this one! It's starting to make me dizzy.

There's so much more to this, but I have no idea who reads this and I am afraid to say too much! I'm sick of thinking about this... maybe I'm hoping writing it all down will help me to stop dwelling on it. I don't know. Because of all that I've left out, I'm probably not making much sense.

Lord Jesus, give us peace... more than that, give my husband peace because if he has it, so will I! Bind Satan and his lies, his poking and prodding. Frankly, he doesn't have a difficult job because we do so much of this to ourselves. Turn our eyes and ears to focus You, our hearts to live and breath Your Word! Thank You for all you have done for us and for all that You are to us... You are our EVERYTHING!!!

In the Name of Jesus,
Amen!

Life in a Box

So, here's what has been on my mind lately: I'm so glad I don't live in a box! No, this is not a post about homelessness (there may be a post or two about that in the future, but not today). I'm thinking more about a different plight that is infesting our society today.

It seems there are so many people today who, despite the fact that our world SHOULD be more "known" than ever before thanks to technology, are completely oblivious to things going on in the world around them. These are those people who believe everything they've always been taught without ever questioning or challenging a single thing. They live in their little bubbles and have only really ever experienced their own culture. By culture, I am referring less to American culture, but the various sub-cultures that make up America. These sub-cultures include rural, urban, suburban, church culture, racial cultures, and a wide variety of other sub-cultures than can be very, very different from one another.

The thing is, it's easier to live in a box! It's easier to never question... then there's no conflict. It's easier to never step outside of you comfort zone... then you never have to learn anything new or learn how to communicate in new ways. It's easier to never challenge even the religious teachings you've always believed... then you won't ever have to think and wrestle with theology. It's easier for things to just be "the way they've always been"... then you won't ever have to do the hard work involved in change.

So, the question I pose is this: Does God call us to live in a box?